Effect of liver damage on the pharmacokinetics of dexamethasone.
By measuring the pharmacokinetics of dexamethasone in 48 patients with various degrees of disturbances in liver function, we could demonstrate a decrease in the metabolic clearance of this steroid by 53% if the activity of the plasma cholinesterase was lowered to less than 2 kU/l. Results suggest that the dosage of dexamethasone given for diagnostic or therapeutic purpose needs to be adjusted in such patients.
Kütemeyer
S
S
Abteilung klinische Endokrinologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany.
Schürmeyer
T H
TH
von zur Mühlen
A
A
D000328:Adult; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000097:blood; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D003907:Dexamethasone; D002802:Cholinesterases