Pharmacology of Steroid Hormones

Question 1

Hydrocortisone (Cortisol)

Answer 1

Short Acting. Low GC and MC.

Hydrocortisone may be prescribed by your doctor to relieve the itching, redness, dryness, crusting, scaling, inflammation, and discomfort of various skin conditions; the inflammation of ulcerative colitis

Question 2

Cortisone

Answer 2

Short Acting. Low GC and MC.

It is used to treat a variety of ailments and can be administered intravenously, orally, intraarticularly (into a joint), or transcutaneously.

Question 3

Fludrocortisone.

Answer 3

Short Acting. Relatively high GC. Very High MC.

Fludrocortisone, a corticosteroid, is used to help control the amount of sodium and fluids in your body. It is used to treat Addison’s disease and syndromes where excessive amounts of sodium are lost in the urine. It works by decreasing the amount of sodium that is lost (excreted) in your urine

Question 4

Prednisolone/Prednisone.

Answer 4

Intermediate Acting. Relatively high GC. Limited MC.

Prednisolone is a synthetic glucocorticoid, a derivative of cortisol, used to treat a variety of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions and some cancers. It is the active metabolite of the drug prednisone[1] and is used especially in patients with liver failure, as these individuals are unable to metabolize prednisone into active prednisolone; it is primarily metabolized via the liver enzyme, 11-β-hydroxydehydrogenase.[

Question 5

Betamethasone

Answer 5

Long Acting. High GC. NO MR.

Betamethasone is a steroid medication.[1] It is used for a number of diseases including rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematous, skin diseases such as dermatitis and psoriasis, allergic conditions such as asthma and angioedema,

Question 6

Dexamethasone

Answer 6

Long Acting. High GC. NO MR.

Dexamethasone is a type of steroid medication.[1] It is used in the treatment of rheumatic problems, a number of skin diseases, severe allergies, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, croup, brain swelling, and along with antibiotics in tuberculosis, among others.

Question 7

Beclomethasone
dipropionate (BDP)
monopropionate (BMP)

Answer 7

Inhaled corticosteroid.

BDP metabolized to more active BMP, which then undergoes rapid transformation

Question 8

Fluticasone dipropionate

Answer 8

Potent Inhaled Corticosteroid.

Question 9

Aminoglutethimide

Metyrapone

Answer 9

INHIBITORS OF GLUCOCORTICOID SYNTHESIS

1. inhibits activity of P450scc (a>m)
2. inhibits activity of P450C11β

Question 10

Ketoconazole

Answer 10

INHIBITORS OF GLUCOCORTICOID SYNTHESIS

1. imidazole anti fungal agent
2. inhibits activity of P450C17α at high doses (also P450scc)
3. adverse events: hepatotoxicity, nausea, oligospermia

Question 11

Finasteride

Answer 11

INHIBITORS OF GLUCOCORTICOID SYNTHESIS

1. inhibits 5α-reductase
2. inhibits conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone
3. may reduce risk of prostate cancer

Question 12

Etomidate

Answer 12

INHIBITORS OF GLUCOCORTICOID SYNTHESIS

1. i.v. hypnotic/anesthesia induction agent
2. inhibits P450C11β & P450C17α

Question 13

Mifepristone (RU-486)

Answer 13

• progesterone receptor blocker (“antiprogesterone”)
• glucocorticoid receptor blocker at higher doses
• used for termination of early pregnancies