Drugs for Midterm 1 Flashcards
SERMs
Selective estrogen receptor modulators
Agonists or antagonist actions, depending on the tissue
Occupy estrogen binding site on ER
Ex: tamoxifen, raloxifene, clomiphene
Main side effects are hot flashes and increased risk of DVT
Clomiphene
SERM
Used for infertility due to lack of ovulation
Moderate estrogen antagonist
Blocks ER in hypothalamus and pituitary
Prevents estrogen negative feedback
Increases LH and FSH leading to ovulation
Treatment for 5 days at beginning of menstrual cycle
Slight increase for the risk of multiple pregnancies
Tamoxifen
SERM
Antagonistic activity at ERs in breast tissue
Used to reduce tumor size in ER positive breast cancer
Non-steroid taken orally
Partial agonist in endometrium tissue and has been linked to endometrial cancer after prolonged use
Raloxifene
SERM
Agonist activity at ERs in bone tissue
Used in primary prevention of osteoporosis and bone fracture
Antagonist activity at ERs in breast tissue (alternative to tamoxifen)
Fulvestrant
Anti-estrogen Antagonist at ERs Inhibits the dimerization of ER Used in tamoxifen resistant, ER positive breast cancers Adverse effects: hot flashes, headache
Ketoconazole
P450c17 inhibitor
Antifungal
Not typically used due to other systemic effects
Danazol
P450c17 inhibitor Partial agonist of several sex hormone receptors Can inhibit synthesis of androstenedione Used to treat endometriosis Several masculinizing side effects
Anastrozole
P450c17 inhibitor
Inhibits aromatase (lower estrogen)
Used to treat ER+ breast cancer
Leuprorelin
Agonist/antagonist of GnRH receptor
Same as male system
Disrupt the pulsate release of GnRH to reduce estrogen
GnRH analog
Non-pulsatile application used for precocious puberty and prostate cancer
Subcutaneous implantation of pellet
Undesirable initial “flare” of increased testosterone (antagonist given until levels drop)
Micronor
Progestin only pill
Pill needs to be taken at the same time every day to maintain adequate hormone levels
Alesse
Combined monophasic oral contraceptive
Estrogen: ethinyl estradiol (0.02 mg/pill)
Progestin: L-norgestrel (levelnorestrel - 0.1 mg/pill)
Yasmin
Combined monophasic oral contraceptive
Estrogen: ethinyl estradiol (0.02 mg/pill)
Progestin: drospirenone (3 mg/pill)
Triphasil
Combined triphasic oral contraceptive
Estrogen: ethinyl estradiol (stays pretty constant, slight increase for days 7-11)
Progestin: levonorgestrel (increases throughout cycle, highest level days 12-21)
Changing hormone levels more closely mimic physiologic cycles (reduces side effects)
Testosterone enanthate
Ester derivative of testosterone
Used for androgen replacement therapy
Administered as an intramuscular injection
Highly lipophilic and diffuses slowly from injection site
Ester group is cleaved by cellular enzyme, then free testosterone enters systemic circulation
Degarelix
GnRH antagonist
Synthetic peptide that binds to GnRH receptor
Used to teat advanced prostate cancer
Does not cause initial flare like leuprorelin
Spironolactone
Diuretic used for cardiac failure
Can technically be used to suppress androgen levels (but not typically)
Can block biosynthesis of testosterone from cholesterol
Finasteride
Similar structure to testosterone
Competes for binding to 5alpha reductase
Decreases the levels of DHT
Used to treat BPH (reduces prostate size and resolves urinary retention) and male pattern baldness
Flutamide
Synthetic, non-steroidal anti-androgen
Androgen receptor antagonist (competitive)
Used in combination with GnRH antagonists (leuprorelin) in prostate cancer
Cyproterone
Used to treat excess sex drive
Androgen receptor antagonist (competitive)
Metformin
Drug of first choice for type 2 diabetes
Activates AMP-dependent kinase, which is a key regulator of energy metabolism in most cell types
Decreases basal and post-prandial blood glucose
Insulin secretagogues
Ex: sulfonylureas, meglitinides
Stimulate insulin release from pancreatic beta cells
Inhibit ATP-sensitive K+ channels in pancreatic beta cells (stimulates the GSIS pathway without glucose)
Uncouples insulin release from blood glucose levels
Increased circulating insulin levels can partially/completely compensate for tissue insulin resistance
Incretins
Gastrointestinal derived hormones that regulate pancreatic insulin and glucagon release
Reduced glucagon release and glucose production
Increases insulin release and glucose uptake
Short duration of action - only get action with high glucose levels (not basal insulin secretion)
Incretin agents: DPP-4 inhibitors
Reduce GLP-1 degradation (so increase their levels)
Increases pancreatic GSIS insulin release, and reduced glucagon release
Can partially/fully overcome tissue insulin resistance
Usually used in combo with metformin and/or secretagogues
Incretin agents: Incretin mimetics
Activate pancreatic GLP-1 receptors (agonists)
Increase pancreatic GSIS release, reduce glucagon release
Can partially/fully overcome tissue insulin resistance
Usually used in combo with metformin and/or secretagogues
Requires subcutaneous injection
