Effect of Intrarectal Dexamethasone on Serum Free 17-Ohcs Levels

摘要

The small-volume, water-soluble corticosteroid enema is valuable in treating ulcerative proctitis and mild ulcerative colitis. Approximately one-third of the dose is absorbed into the systemic circulation, an amount sufficient to produce pituitary-adrenal suppression. Dexamethasone (1 mg.) orally or dexamethasone-21-phosphate (2 mg.) administered in 45 ml. of warm tap water as a retention enema to healthy volunteers at 8:00 a.m. produced highly significant depression of the 3:00 p.m. serum 17-hydroxy-corticosteroids compared to controls (P