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Current approaches to the pharmacological management of Cushing's disease.

Abstract
If treatment of Cushing's disease (CD) by surgery is not successful, medical therapy is often required. Long-term use of metyrapone is limited by hirsutism and hypertension and escape because of increased ACTH levels. Although ketoconazole can normalize cortisol levels in 50%, liver toxicity limits its use. Mitotane, an adrenolytic agent, has had minimal use for benign disease. Etomidate is useful when rapid reduction in cortisol levels is needed. Cabergoline can normalize cortisol levels in CD in about one-third of patients and is well tolerated. Pasireotide can normalize cortisol levels in CD in about 25% but causes worsening of glucose tolerance in most patients. Mifepristone, a blocker of cortisol receptors, improves clinical aspects of CD in most patients but cortisol and ACTH measurements do not reflect clinical activity and adrenal insufficiency, hypokalemia, and endometrial hyperplasia can occur. Combinations of drugs can be tried in patients resistant to monotherapy.
AuthorsMark E Molitch
JournalMolecular and cellular endocrinology (Mol Cell Endocrinol) Vol. 408 Pg. 185-9 (Jun 15 2015) ISSN: 1872-8057 [Electronic] Ireland
PMID25450859 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
CopyrightCopyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Chemical References
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
Topics
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Enzyme Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion (drug therapy)

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