Glucocorticoid Therapy and Cushing Syndrome Medication

Updated: Mar 23, 2021
  • Author: George P Chrousos, MD, FAAP, MACP, MACE, FRCP(London); Chief Editor: Sasigarn A Bowden, MD, FAAP  more...
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Medication

Medication Summary

Management of exogenous hypercortisolism involves optimization of glucocorticoid dose and route. Glucocorticoid-sparing agents are used to minimize the glucocorticoid dose; adjunctive treatments aim to reduce the effect of glucocorticoid treatment. Other drugs that may be considered include bisphosphonates, in cases of osteoporosis or fractures; prophylactic treatment with H2 antagonists, when medications known to cause gastric irritation cannot be avoided; zoster immunoglobulin for immunosuppressed children who come into contact with varicella; inhaled steroid treatment; intranasal glucocorticoids; and steroid ointments.

In patients with endogenous Cushing syndrome, the same medications are used in inpatient and outpatient care, with the exception of etomidate, which is intravenously administered in very sick inpatients.

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Glucocorticoids

Class Summary

These agents are used for replacement or supplementation of endogenous glucocorticoid in situations of adrenal suppression or following bilateral adrenalectomy.

Hydrocortisone (Hydrocortone, Hydrocort, Hydro-Tex, Cortef, Solu-Cortef)

Water-soluble drug that can be administered PO (tab or susp) or IV. PO bioavailability approximately 50-60%. Usual dose 10-15 mg/m2/d split into 2-3 doses. Used parenterally in emergencies if PO medication not tolerated or not absorbed.

Dexamethasone (Decadron)

A synthetic fluorinated steroid that has a long life and therefore is not suitable for steroid replacement in children until growth is completed. Mainly used in investigation of patients with suspected Cushing syndrome, it is also used in high doses to suppress the inflammatory response in several conditions, including management of raised intracranial pressure.

Prednisone (Deltasone, Meticorten, Orasone, Sterapred)

Intermediate-acting glucocorticoids. See Table 1 for more details. Second line of treatment because of the potential for growth suppression. Detectable in urinary free cortisol assay.

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Hypothalamic-releasing hormones

Class Summary

Synthetically manufactured corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is used to aid in the diagnostic workup of the patient suspected of having Cushing syndrome.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)

CRH is a 41–amino acid peptide hormone derived from the hypothalamus that is also made in many parts of the nervous system. Stimulates the pituitary to release ACTH and is helpful to improve sensitivity and specificity of inferior petrosal sinus sampling, to distinguish pituitary from ectopic sources of ACTH, and following dexamethasone. Used to diagnose the presence of pseudo-Cushing disease.

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Adrenal enzyme inhibitors

Class Summary

These drugs are used for blockade of steroid hormone synthesis.

Ketoconazole (Nizoral)

First used as antifungal agent but also inhibits steroid synthesis. Steroid inhibition is exploited in the patient who is not cured by surgery and the patient in whom the primary source of ectopic ACTH cannot be found.

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Antineoplastic agents

Class Summary

Mitotane is an antineoplastic agent that selectively inhibits the adrenal cortex. Use in control of cortisol production when the adrenal carcinoma is inoperable or removal is incomplete. In this situation, treatment may improve survival, but it is not curative.

Mitotane (Lysodren)

Decreases production of cortisol by causing adrenal atrophy and affecting mitochondria in adrenal cortical cells.

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Ultrashort-acting nonbarbiturate hypnotics

Class Summary

Etomidate is an ultrashort-acting nonbarbiturate hypnotic that blocks steroidogenesis. No published experience with etomidate in children exists. However, the drug may be the only available option for children with severe Cushing syndrome who cannot receive oral medication.

Etomidate (Amidate)

Effective in blocking steroidogenesis and can be administered IV diluted in isotonic sodium chloride solution as a continuous infusion.

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