Metyrapone, also known as Metopirone, is a drug used to diagnose and treat adrenal hyperfunction. Metyrapone is limited in China, and its main use is clinical diagnosis rather than treatment, and its use needs to follow a doctor's prescription and guidance. This article mainly talks about the efficacy, medication guidelines, precautions and contraindications of metyrapone

Efficacy

Inhibition of adrenal corticotropic hormone synthesis

Metyrapone reduces cortisol synthesis by inhibiting 11β-hydroxylase in the adrenal cortex, thereby reducing the level of cortisol in the blood.

Diagnosis of Cushing syndrome

Metyrapone is often used to diagnose different types of Cushing syndrome, and the cause is determined by measuring the levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the blood.

Treatment of Kirshing syndrome

In addition to diagnostic use, Metyrapone can also be used to treat Kirshing syndrome caused by adrenal hyperfunction, including pituitary, adrenal and ectopic Kirshing syndrome.

Reduce the level of cortisol in the blood

Metyrapone can effectively reduce the level of cortisol in the blood and improve the symptoms and prognosis of patients with Kirshing's syndrome.

Diagnosis of abnormal ACTH secretion

The pharmacological effect of Metyrapone is used to diagnose the diseases caused by abnormal ACTH secretion.

Guidelines for taking medications

For adults, the dose of the ACTH trial is usually 750 mg orally every 4 hours for 6 doses; The dose for children is 15 mg/kg orally, with a minimum dose of 250 mg every 4 hours for 6 doses.

For the treatment of refractory edema, it is combined with glucocorticoids, and the usual amount is 3g/day, which is taken in divided doses.

The therapeutic dose of Cushing syndrome is 250mg~6g/day.

Precautions

Drugs that may interfere with the Metyrapone test, such as antidepressants, antithyroid drugs, antipsychotics, barbiturates, corticosteroids, and drugs that affect the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (estrogens and progestins), should be avoided during the test. Thyroid dysfunction or cirrhosis may affect the response to Metyrapone. When overdose of this product, it is easy to induce adrenal insufficiency, and when poisoning, hyperkalemia, hypochloremia or hyponatremia will occur.

taboo

It is forbidden for patients who are allergic to Metyrapone and adrenal insufficiency. Patients with pituitary insufficiency and renal insufficiency should use with caution. Pregnant women have poor response to the test of this product, and the fetus can produce a pituitary response to enzyme blockade.

When using Metyrapone, patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions and do not adjust the dose or change the way they take the drug. Patients should also keep an eye on their physical condition and seek medical attention promptly if they have any discomfort or abnormal reactions.