Question

1. Please discuss ONE SPECIFIC hormonal or related medication in your assigned reading (Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroid, or Adrenal Disorders). Give class; actions and uses; side effects & adverse reactions; contraindications & toxicity; administration; any other pertinent information.

Answer 1

LEVOTHYROXINE

class - hormones

mechanism of action: it is a synthetic form of thyroxine ,an endogenous hormone secreted by thyroid gland which is converted to its active metabolite L-triiodothyronine. T3 and T4 bind to thyroid receptor proteins in the cell nucleus and cause metabolic effects through control of DNA transcription and protein synthesis.

Uses : typically used to treat hypothyroidism

• who require lifelong thyroid hormone therapy
• used to lower thyroid stimulating hormone
• interventional therapy in people with nodular thyroid disease
• also used to treat myxedema coma

Side effects and Adverse reaction

1. adverse effects are generally caused by incorrect dosing .long term suppression of TSH values below normal values will frequently cause cardiac side effects and contribute to decrease in bone mineral density
2. Heart palpitations
3. abdominal pain
4. nausea
5. anxiousness
6. confusion
7. agitation
8. insomnia
9. weight loss
10. increased appetite

allergic reaction to the drug characterized by, symptoms such as

1. shortness of breath
2. swelling of face and tongue
3. acute overdose cause
4. fever
5. hypoglycemia
6. heart failure

The effect of over dosing appear 6 hrs to 11 days after ingestion

Contraindications

1. people with acute myocardial infection
2. un corrected adrenal sufficiency
3. thyrotoxicosis of any etiology

Route of administration

1. orally
2. intra venously

Interaction

• foods and other substance that can interfere with absorption of thyroxine
• aluminium and magnesium containing antacid
• grape fruit juice delay absorption
• combination of drug with ketamine causes hypertension and tachycardia
• tricyclc and tetra cyclic anti depressants causes increase in toxicity