CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH KETOCONAZOLE AS A THERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH CUSHING'S SYNDROME

Abstract

Six consecutive patients with Cushing's disease were treated with the broad spectrum antifungal drug ketoconazole. Urinary cortisol levels rapidly fell to within the normal range in five of the six patients. Acute hypoadrenalism occurred in one patient, and nausea and pyrexia in three. Our experience with hepatotoxicity was different from that reported by others in that reversible hepatotoxicity was demonstrated in three patients within 7 to 12 days of treatment. Further work is required before ketoconazole can be recommended as a standard primary therapy for patients with Cushing's syndrome. Continuing vigilance for both hypoadrenalism and hepatotoxicity is essential in any patient being treated with this drug either for hypercortisolism or for other reasons.