Drugs Affecting the Endocrine System
◦ Glucose Regulation - Insulin is the only hormone produced that
lowers elevated BG levels after carbohydrate intake.
◦ Normal blood glucose (BG) levels range between 70 and 99 mg/dL in
the fasting state and 100 and 140 mg/dL in the 2-hour postprandial
state, otherwise referred to as euglycemia.
◦ Hyperglycemia : greater than 100 mg/dL in the fasting state or greater
than 140 mg/dL 2 hours postprandial.
◦ Hypoglycemia refers to a state of insufficient or low BG levels, defined
as less than 70 mg/dL.
◦ Post prandial – After a meal
Medication for Diabetes
For Type 2 Diabetes – the focus is
(1) insulin resistance,
(2) decreased insulin production, and
(3) increased hepatic glucose production
Insulin sensitizers:
The first-line oral agent for type 2 diabetes is the insulin
sensitizer metformin in the biguanide class. Pioglitazone
is in the thiazolidinedione class. Both metformin and
pioglitazone help correct the defect of insulin resistance
seen in type 2 diabetes.
Most common is metformin , most effective.
Action : action of metformin is to reduce glucose
production by the liver
Forms of metformin include Glucophage (immediate
release), Glucophage XR (extended release),
Fortamet (extended release), and Riomet (liquid form
of metformin).
Because it may cause moderate weight loss,
metformin may be useful for people with type
2 diabetes and prediabetes who are
overweight or obese.
Contraindication : in patients with hepatic and
renal insufficiency, metabolic acidosis, and excessive
alcohol use
REMEMBER!!! who are undergoing surgery or any
radiologic procedures that involve the use of a
◦ Glucose Regulation - Insulin is the only hormone produced that
lowers elevated BG levels after carbohydrate intake.
◦ Normal blood glucose (BG) levels range between 70 and 99 mg/dL in
the fasting state and 100 and 140 mg/dL in the 2-hour postprandial
state, otherwise referred to as euglycemia.
◦ Hyperglycemia : greater than 100 mg/dL in the fasting state or greater
than 140 mg/dL 2 hours postprandial.
◦ Hypoglycemia refers to a state of insufficient or low BG levels, defined
as less than 70 mg/dL.
◦ Post prandial – After a meal
Medication for Diabetes
For Type 2 Diabetes – the focus is
(1) insulin resistance,
(2) decreased insulin production, and
(3) increased hepatic glucose production
Insulin sensitizers:
The first-line oral agent for type 2 diabetes is the insulin
sensitizer metformin in the biguanide class. Pioglitazone
is in the thiazolidinedione class. Both metformin and
pioglitazone help correct the defect of insulin resistance
seen in type 2 diabetes.
Most common is metformin , most effective.
Action : action of metformin is to reduce glucose
production by the liver
Forms of metformin include Glucophage (immediate
release), Glucophage XR (extended release),
Fortamet (extended release), and Riomet (liquid form
of metformin).
Because it may cause moderate weight loss,
metformin may be useful for people with type
2 diabetes and prediabetes who are
overweight or obese.
Contraindication : in patients with hepatic and
renal insufficiency, metabolic acidosis, and excessive
alcohol use
REMEMBER!!! who are undergoing surgery or any
radiologic procedures that involve the use of a
