Pharmacologic Aspects of Adrenocortical Steroids and ACTH in Man

Abstract

CLINICAL USES OF ACTH, CORTISONE AND HYDROCORTISONESpecific Replacement Therapy Primary Adrenal Insufficiency The use of cortisone has greatly improved the effectiveness of replacement therapy in patients with Addison's disease.⁴⁷ Although treatment with desoxycorticosterone unquestionably prolonged the life of many of these patients, cortisone has corrected important metabolic defects not affected by desoxycorticosterone: the facilitation of gluconeogenesis, the restoration of water metabolism to normal and the correction of the electroencephalographic abnormalities of Addison's disease. Appetite, muscular strength and work tolerance are improved, and anemia is diminished. These changes, in conjunction with the remarkable sense of well-being imparted by cortisone, have . . .