Global Health and Health Policy 50 Lecture 1: Adrenal Drugs

• School: Harvard University
• Department: Global Health and Health Policy
• Course: Global Health and Health Policy 50

Document Summary

Adrenal gland: adrenal cortex, adrenal medulla, each portion has different functions and secretes different hormones, feedback process of hormone regulation, adrenal medulla (center) secretes catecholamines, epinephrine, norepinephrine, adrenal cortex secretes corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids (primarily aldosterone) Adrenocortical hormones: oversecretion leads to cushing"s syndrome, round moon face, hump back, thinned legs, frail skin, easy bruising, undersecretion leads to addison"s disease, not enough aldosterone, used to reabsorbed na and water, losing na and water. Adrenal drugs: can be either synthetic or natural, many different drugs and forms, glucocorticoids, topical, systemic, inhaled, nasal, eczema treatment. Inhalers: watch for hyperglycemia and peptic ulcers with nsaids, drugs, adrenocorticotropic hormone, betamethasone, cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone triamcinolone, mineralocorticoid, systemic, aldosterone, desoxycorticosterone, fludrocortisone, catecholamines, epinephrine, norepinephrine, adrenal steroid inhibitors, systemic, aminoglutethimide. Most corticosteroids exert their effects by modifying enzyme activity. Glucocorticoids differ in their potency, duration of action, and the extent to which they cause salt and fluid retention. Glucocorticoids inhibit or help control inflammatory and immune responses.