Miscellaneous hormones

This review of the 2010 publications on adverse reactions to miscellaneous hormones covers calcitonin, gonadotropins (gonadorelin, GNRH, and analogues), gonadotrophin releasing hormone antagonists, somatropin, growth hormone receptor antagonists, melatonin, oxytocin, parathyroid hormone, somatostatin and analogues (lanreotide, octreotide, and pasireotide), vasopressin receptor antagonists (conivaptan, satavaptan, and tolvaptan), and vasopressin and analogues (desmopressin and terlipressin). It also includes a special review on the tumorigenicity of growth hormone. The use of somatostatin analogues was associated with significant malabsorption of fat-soluble vitamins, notably resulting in night blindness, which was reversed by vitamin A supplementation. Concerns about the tumorigenicity of long-term growth hormone prompted two large studies, neither of which showed clear associations; smaller studies continue to be difficult to interpret, owing to potential confounding by other susceptibility factors. Bolus doses of oxytocin were associated with hypotension and only mild hemodynamic reactions were seen with infusions.