Endocrine and metabolism
100 drugs
5-α-reductase inhibitors
- About this sectionDrugs that block the conversion of testosterone into DHT, so the prostate shrinks slowly. Used in benign…
- DutasterideSteroid 5-α-reductase types 1 and 2 (SRD5A1 and SRD5A2)
- FinasterideSteroid 5-α-reductase type 2 (SRD5A2)
Adrenal steroid synthesis inhibitors
- About this sectionDrugs that block enzymes of the adrenal cortex to lower cortisol in Cushing syndrome or to test the…
- MetyraponeSteroid 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1)
- MitotaneAdrenal cortex mitochondria (activated to a toxic metabolite) and cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1)
- Osilodrostat11-beta-hydroxylase (CYP11B1), and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2)
Androgens
- About this sectionTestosterone and related steroids. They replace testosterone in male hypogonadism; weak androgens such as…
- DanazolAndrogen and other gonadal steroid receptors; it suppresses pituitary FSH and LH
- TestosteroneAndrogen receptor (AR), a nuclear receptor
Anti-obesity drugs
- About this sectionDrugs used with diet and activity to lose weight. This page covers orlistat, which blocks fat absorption in…
- Naltrexone and bupropionHypothalamic appetite and brain reward circuits (opioid receptors and dopamine/noradrenaline reuptake)
- OrlistatPancreatic and gastric lipases
- PhentermineNoradrenergic nerve endings in the brain (releases noradrenaline)
- Phentermine and topiramateBrain appetite and satiety circuits (phentermine releases catecholamines; topiramate acts on several targets)
Antithyroid agents
- About this sectionMedicines that lower thyroid hormone production in hyperthyroidism: thionamides, iodide and radioactive…
- CarbimazoleThyroid peroxidase (TPO), through methimazole
- MethimazoleThyroid peroxidase (TPO)
- Potassium iodideSodium-iodide symporter (NIS) of the thyroid
- PropylthiouracilThyroid peroxidase (TPO)
- Sodium iodide (131I)Sodium-iodide symporter (NIS) of the thyroid
Biguanides
- About this sectionOral glucose-lowering drugs that make the liver release less glucose. Metformin is the only one still in…
- MetforminMitochondrial respiratory chain, complex I
Bisphosphonates
- About this sectionBone-seeking drugs that slow the cells that break bone down. The first-line treatment of osteoporosis and of…
- Alendronic acid (alendronate)Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), an enzyme of the mevalonate pathway in osteoclasts
- Ibandronic acidFarnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) in osteoclasts
- Pamidronic acidFarnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS) in osteoclasts
- Risedronic acid (risedronate)Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), an enzyme of the mevalonate pathway in osteoclasts
- Zoledronic acidFarnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), an enzyme of the mevalonate pathway in osteoclasts
Calcimimetics
- About this sectionDrugs that make the parathyroid gland «feel» more calcium than there is, so it releases less PTH. Used in…
- CinacalcetCalcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), a G-protein–coupled receptor of the parathyroid gland
- EtelcalcetideCalcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) of the parathyroid gland
Calcitonins
- About this sectionPeptide hormones that briefly stop osteoclasts and make the kidney lose calcium. Now used mainly to lower…
- Calcitonin (salmon)Calcitonin receptor (CTR), a G-protein–coupled receptor
Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids)
- About this sectionSynthetic versions of cortisol. They calm inflammation and the immune system and replace the hormone when…
- BetamethasoneGlucocorticoid receptor (GR), a nuclear receptor
- ClobetasolGlucocorticoid receptor (GR) in skin cells
- DexamethasoneGlucocorticoid receptor (GR), a nuclear receptor
- FludrocortisoneMineralocorticoid receptor (MR), a nuclear receptor
- HydrocortisoneGlucocorticoid receptor (GR), a nuclear receptor
- MethylprednisoloneGlucocorticoid receptor (GR), a nuclear receptor
- PrednisoloneGlucocorticoid receptor (GR), a nuclear receptor
- PrednisoneGlucocorticoid receptor (GR), a nuclear receptor
- TriamcinoloneGlucocorticoid receptor (GR), a nuclear receptor
DPP-4 inhibitors (gliptins)
- About this sectionOral drugs that stop the breakdown of the body's own gut hormones (incretins), so insulin rises after meals…
- AlogliptinDipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)
- LinagliptinDipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)
- SaxagliptinDipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)
- SitagliptinDipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)
- VildagliptinDipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)
Drugs that raise blood glucose
- About this sectionDrugs used to treat or prevent low blood sugar: glucagon for emergencies and diazoxide for excess insulin.
- DiazoxideSulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) of the KATP channel
- GlucagonGlucagon receptor (GCGR)
Estrogens
- About this sectionFemale sex hormones used for menopausal symptoms, to prevent bone loss and to replace missing ovarian…
- Conjugated estrogensEstrogen receptors α and β, nuclear receptors
- EstradiolEstrogen receptor α (ERα), a nuclear receptor
FGF23-blocking antibodies
- About this sectionAntibodies that neutralise FGF23, the hormone that makes the kidney waste phosphate. Phosphate rises and…
- BurosumabFibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23)
GLP-1 receptor agonists
- About this sectionInjected (and one oral) drugs that copy the gut hormone GLP-1: more insulin after meals, less appetite…
- DulaglutideGLP-1 receptor (GLP1R)
- ExenatideGLP-1 receptor (GLP1R)
- LiraglutideGLP-1 receptor (GLP1R)
- SemaglutideGLP-1 receptor (GLP1R)
- TirzepatideGIP receptor and GLP-1 receptor (dual agonist)
Gonadotropins
- About this sectionInjected FSH- and LH-like hormones that make ovarian follicles grow and trigger ovulation, or drive…
- Chorionic gonadotrophinLuteinising hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR)
- Follitropin alfaFollicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR)
Growth hormone
- About this sectionRecombinant human growth hormone and its long-acting forms, used when the body does not make enough of it.
- MecaserminInsulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R)
- SomatropinGrowth hormone receptor (GHR)
Growth hormone receptor antagonists
- About this sectionEngineered copies of growth hormone that sit on its receptor without switching it on. They lower IGF-1 in…
- PegvisomantGrowth hormone receptor (GHR)
Insulins
- About this sectionInjectable replacements for the hormone insulin. They differ mainly in how fast they start and how long they…
- Insulin aspartInsulin receptor
- Insulin degludecInsulin receptor
- Insulin detemirInsulin receptor
- Insulin glargineInsulin receptor
- Insulin glulisineInsulin receptor
- Insulin lisproInsulin receptor
- Isophane (NPH) insulinInsulin receptor
- Regular human insulinInsulin receptor
Other glucose-lowering drugs
- About this sectionSmaller groups for type 2 (and type 1) diabetes: drugs that slow carbohydrate digestion, short-acting…
- AcarboseIntestinal alpha-glucosidases (maltase-glucoamylase, sucrase-isomaltase) and pancreatic alpha-amylase
- MiglitolIntestinal alpha-glucosidases (maltase-glucoamylase, sucrase)
- NateglinideATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel of the beta cell, SUR1 subunit
- PramlintideAmylin receptors (calcitonin receptor with RAMP proteins)
- RepaglinideSulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) of the KATP channel
- TeplizumabCD3 on T lymphocytes (CD3 epsilon)
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) analogues
- About this sectionDaily injections of a PTH fragment that build new bone. Anabolic, unlike the drugs that only slow bone loss.
- AbaloparatideParathyroid hormone/PTHrP receptor type 1 (PTH1R)
- TeriparatidePTH/PTHrP type 1 receptor (PTH1R), a G-protein–coupled receptor
Progestogens (progestins)
- About this sectionProgesterone and synthetic relatives. They protect the uterine lining during estrogen therapy, treat…
- Medroxyprogesterone acetateProgesterone receptor (PR), a nuclear receptor
- MegestrolProgesterone receptor (PGR); it also has glucocorticoid activity
- NorethisteroneProgesterone receptor (PR), a nuclear receptor
- ProgesteroneProgesterone receptor (PR), a nuclear receptor
RANK ligand (RANKL) inhibitors
- About this sectionAntibodies that block RANKL, the signal that makes osteoclasts form and work. Strong antiresorptives, but…
- DenosumabRANK ligand (RANKL), the cytokine that switches on osteoclasts
Sclerostin inhibitors
- About this sectionAntibodies that remove the brake sclerostin puts on bone-building cells. Bone formation rises quickly and…
- RomosozumabSclerostin (SOST)
Selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)
- About this sectionDrugs that act like oestrogen in some tissues and block it in others: they treat breast cancer, prevent bone…
- ClomifeneOestrogen receptor alpha (ERα)
- OspemifeneOestrogen receptor (ERα)
- RaloxifeneOestrogen receptor alpha (ERα)
- TamoxifenOestrogen receptor alpha (ERα)
SGLT2 inhibitors (gliflozins)
- About this sectionOral drugs that make the kidney spill glucose into the urine. They also protect the heart and kidneys…
- CanagliflozinSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2)
- DapagliflozinSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2)
- EmpagliflozinSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2)
- ErtugliflozinSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2)
- SotagliflozinSodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2)
Somatostatin analogues
- About this sectionLong-lasting copies of somatostatin, the body's «stop» hormone. They lower growth hormone and gut hormone…
- LanreotideSomatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2), and SSTR5
- OctreotideSomatostatin receptor type 2 (SSTR2), and SSTR5
- PasireotideSomatostatin receptors, highest affinity for SSTR5
Sulfonylureas
- About this sectionOral drugs that make the pancreas release more insulin. Cheap and effective, but the classic cause of…
- GlibenclamideSulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) of the KATP channel
- GliclazideSulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) of the KATP channel
- GlimepirideSulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) of the KATP channel
- GlipizideSulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) of the KATP channel
Thiazolidinediones (glitazones)
- About this sectionOral insulin sensitizers that act on a nuclear receptor in fat. They work slowly and can retain fluid and…
- PioglitazonePPAR-gamma (nuclear receptor)
- RosiglitazonePPAR-gamma (nuclear receptor)
Thyroid hormones
- About this sectionSynthetic T4 (levothyroxine) and T3 (liothyronine) that replace the hormone an underactive thyroid no longer…
- LevothyroxineThyroid hormone receptor β (and α)
- LiothyronineThyroid hormone receptor β (and α)
- ResmetiromThyroid hormone receptor beta (THR-beta)
Vasopressin and its analogues
- About this sectionAntidiuretic hormone and its synthetic relatives. Through V2 receptors they hold water in the kidney…
- DesmopressinVasopressin V2 receptor
- TerlipressinVasopressin V1a receptor
- VasopressinVasopressin V1a receptor (and V2 in the kidney)
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Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Representative model, for educational purposes only.