Male and Female Hormonal Drugs
Androgens:
• produced naturally by the testes, ovaries and adrenal cortex; main function is the promotion of male sex characteristics
• eg danazol, finasteride, testosterone
• Testosterone used to treat androgen deficiency, delayed puberty, male hypogondism, and postpartal breast enlargement; action is mediated by receptors in cell cytoplasm migrates to cell nucleus to act on DNA synthesises specific RNA messenger molecules templates fro specific protein production; adverse effects – oedema and virilisation in females and liver toxicity; open to abuse of athletes
• Danazol used for endometriosis
Anabolic Steroids:
• eg nandrolene, stanozolol
• indicated for catabolic disorders, palliative treatment for breast cancer
Lactation suppressants:
• eg bromocriptine, oestradiol
• used to inhibit prolactin secretion
Fertility drugs:
• eg clomiphene, human chorionic gonadotropin
• used for infertility secondary to anovulation
Oxytocic drugs:
• eg oxytocin, ergonovine maleate
• Used to manage postpartal haemorrhage
• Oxytocin used to promote labour
Labour suppressants:
• eg ritodrine, terbutaline
• indicated for premature labour
• act by exerting a beta-adrenergic agonist effect on uterine smooth muscles inhibit uterine contractions
Gonadotropin:
• eg gonadorelin, goserelin, leuprolide, nafarelin
• Lueprolide and nafarelin used for endometriosis
• Goserelin and leuprolide prostatic cancer
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