Effects of a new glucocorticoid, deflazacort, on pituitary-adrenal function in man: a comparison with prednisone.

The influence on plasma ACTH and cortisol and on blood sugar have been evaluated in seven volunteers after single oral doses of prednisone 4 mg and 8 mg and deflazacort 5 mg and 10 mg. Drugs were administered at midnight to achieve a maximum inhibitory effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. No difference was detected in the majority of cases between the high and the low dose of each drug. In particular, the results obtained with the higher doses show a significant effect of both drugs on ACTH (at hour 4 after drug administration) and on cortisol (at hours 4, 8, 12 and 16). As for blood sugar, the hyperglycemic activity of deflazacort appears to be lower than prednisone at hours 12 and 16. On the whole, the potency of deflazacort appears similar to that of prednisone.