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P A R T 6
Drugs acting on the endocrine system
CHAPTER SUMMARY
■■
Hypothalamic releasing factors stimulate the anterior
pituitary to release hormones.
■■
The hypothalamic releasing factors are used mostly
for diagnostic testing and for treating some forms of
cancer.
■■
Anterior pituitary hormones stimulate endocrine
glands or cell metabolism.
■■
Growth hormone (GH) deficiency can cause
dwarfism in children and somatropin deficiency
syndrome in adults.
■■
GH replacement is done with drugs produced by
recombinant DNA processes; these agents are more
reliable and cause fewer problems than drugs used in
the past.
■■
GH excess causes gigantism in people whose
epiphyseal plates have not closed and acromegaly in
people with closed epiphyseal plates.
■■
GH antagonists include octreotide and
bromocriptine. Blockage of other endocrine activity
may occur when these drugs are used.
■■
Posterior pituitary hormones are produced in the
hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary.
They include oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone
(ADH).
■■
Lack of ADH produces diabetes insipidus, which is
characterised by large amounts of dilute urine and
excessive thirst.
■■
ADH replacement uses desmopressin, an analogue
of ADH, which can be administered parenterally or
intranasally.
■■
Fluid balance needs to be monitored when individuals
are taking desmopressin or vasopressin.
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ONLINE RESOURCES
An extensive range of additional resources to enhance teaching
and learning and to facilitate understanding of this chapter may
be found online at the text’s accompanying website, located on
thePoint at
These include Watch and
Learn videos, Concepts in Action animations, journal articles,
review questions, case studies, discussion topics and quizzes.
WEB LINKS
Patients, healthcare providers, and students may want
to consult the following Internet sources:
Information on acromegaly—diagnosis, treatment and
support.
Home page of the Australian Pituitary Foundation
Ltd. Information and support for people with pituitary
conditions.
Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Clinical Practice
Guidelines – Diabetes Insipidus.
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