Hormones and Hormone Analogues
10 compounds in this family, each with its recorded mechanism, routes of administration, safety notes and references to published literature.
- AldaferminAldafermin is an engineered analogue of the human hormone fibroblast growth factor‑19 (FGF19) that is administered by subcutaneous injection. It is being investigated as a disease‑modifying therapy for non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and metabolic‑dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH), including patients with compensated cirrhosis, with the aim of reducing liver fibrosis, improving liver enzymes and lowering hepatic fat content.
- Chorionic Gonadotropin (Human)Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a prescription glycoprotein hormone used primarily to stimulate gonadal function. In men, it is employed to induce spermatogenesis and improve fertility in conditions such as hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and idiopathic oligozoospermia. The drug is administered by injection and is approved for clinical use in several countries.
- EfruxiferminEfruxifermin is an investigational, long‑acting Fc‑FGF21 fusion protein being developed for metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH/NASH) and related liver fibrosis. Early‑phase clinical trials have evaluated weekly subcutaneous dosing in patients with steatohepatitis ranging from moderate fibrosis (F2) to compensated cirrhosis (F4). The drug aims to lower liver fat, improve metabolic parameters, and promote fibrosis regression.
- FollitropinFollitropin is a recombinant follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH) used to stimulate ovarian follicle growth in assisted reproductive technologies such as in‑vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Commercial preparations include follitropin alfa (standard dosing) and follitropin delta, which is dosed individually based on a woman's anti‑Müllerian hormone (AMH) level and body weight. The drug is administered by injection to promote the development of multiple mature oocytes for retrieval.
- Luteinizing hormoneLuteinizing hormone (LH) is a prescription glycoprotein hormone used in assisted reproductive technologies to stimulate ovarian follicle development and testosterone production. It is administered by injection (intramuscular or subcutaneous) and is often combined with follicle‑stimulating hormone (FSH) in protocols for in‑vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other fertility treatments.
- PegbelferminPegbelfermin is an investigational, PEGylated analogue of fibroblast growth factor‑21 (FGF21) designed for subcutaneous administration in patients with non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and metabolic dysfunction‑associated steatohepatitis (MASH). It aims to modulate energy metabolism and liver inflammation to improve fibrosis and reduce liver fat. Phase‑2b trials (FALCON 1 and 2) and several meta‑analyses have evaluated its efficacy and safety.
- Peptide YY (1-36)Peptide YY (1-36) (PYY1-36) is a 36‑amino‑acid gut hormone that circulates in the bloodstream and acts on multiple Y‑type receptors (Y1, Y2, Y4, Y5). It influences gastrointestinal motility, pancreatic secretion, blood pressure, and appetite. Research has explored its role in diabetes, bariatric‑surgery outcomes, and cardiovascular physiology, but it remains an experimental compound without approved therapeutic use.
- ProcalcitoninProcalcitonin (PCT) is a blood biomarker, the precursor of the hormone calcitonin, that rises markedly during systemic bacterial infections and sepsis. Clinicians use quantitative PCT assays to help diagnose infection, differentiate bacterial from viral causes, and to guide the initiation or discontinuation of antibiotics, particularly in acute respiratory infections and intensive‑care sepsis management.
- Secretin humanHuman secretin is a synthetic gastrointestinal peptide hormone approved as a prescription injectable for diagnostic purposes. It is administered intravenously to stimulate pancreatic ductal secretion, thereby enhancing magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and aiding detection of pancreatic duct abnormalities in patients with pancreatitis.
- ThyrotropinThyrotropin, also known as recombinant human TSH (rhTSH, Thyrogen), is a prescription glycoprotein hormone approved for clinical use. It is administered by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection and is employed to raise circulating TSH levels for diagnostic purposes in thyroid evaluation.