Use of Methopyrapone (Su-4885) in the Study of Pituitary-Adrenal Response in Patients Under Corticosteroid Treatment

Abstract

A study has been made of the response of the pituitary-adrenal system to the administration of Su-4885 in 27 patients (7 with endocrine disease and 20 with nonendocrine disease) under treatment with corticosteroids. The dose schedules of the corticosteroids, the length of time covered by their administration, the moment when the study was carried out (during or after suspension of the corticosteroid treatment), the manner in which suspension had taken place (suddenly or gradually over a period of several days), and the appearance of a clinical picture of iatrogenic hypercortisolism were the factors taken into consideration in order to evaluate the response to Su-4885. An abnormal response was observed in every patient in whom the administration of corticosteroids was accompanied by an intense iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome. No clear conclusions were arrived at from evaluation of the remaining factors. No attempt was made to determine the pathogenesis of the response. (J Clin Endocr 25: 534,1965)