Drugs for pituitary, adrenal and gonadal hormone excess and deficiency
Mechanisms of dopamine agonists, somatostatin analogues, pegvisomant, steroidogenesis inhibitors and receptor blockers for hormone excess, and of glucocorticoid, mineralocorticoid, desmopressin and sex steroid replacement, with the lab patterns each drug produces.
Tier 2Medical sciences concept
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Excess is treated by suppressing secretion (dopamine agonists, somatostatin analogues), blocking synthesis (steroidogenesis inhibitors) or blocking the receptor (pegvisomant, mifepristone, spironolactone).
- Deficiency is treated by replacing the end-hormone (hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone, thyroxine, testosterone, oestradiol, desmopressin).
- Each mechanism gives a predictable lab pattern. A receptor blocker raises the hormone it blocks; a synthesis inhibitor raises its precursors.
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Sources
- Endocrinology (Therapeutic Guidelines)AU/NZTherapeutic Guidelines Ltd
- Australian Medicines HandbookAU/NZAustralian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd, 2026
- Australian Public Assessment Report for Isturisa (osilodrostat)AU/NZTherapeutic Goods Administration, 2022
- Medicine status: osilodrostat (Isturisa)AU/NZPharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, 2025
- Efficacy and tolerance of spironolactone in essential hypertensionAmerican Journal of Cardiology (Jeunemaitre et al., 1987;60:820-5), 1987
- Consensus on diagnosis and management of Cushing's disease: a guideline updateLancet Diabetes and Endocrinology (Fleseriu et al., 2021;9:847-75), 2021
- Diagnosis and treatment of hyperprolactinemia: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guidelineJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (Melmed et al., 2011;96:273-88), 2011
- Diagnosis and treatment of primary adrenal insufficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guidelineEndocrine Society (Bornstein et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2016;101:364-89), 2016
- Testosterone therapy in men with hypogonadism: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guidelineJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (Bhasin et al., 2018;103:1715-44), 2018
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
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