Ketoconazole administration in hypercortisolemic depression.

Ketoconazole, an antiglucocorticoid drug, was administered to 10 hypercortisolemic depressed patients for up to 6 weeks. Three patients dropped out because of side effects or intercurrent illness. The remaining seven had significant ketoconazole-associated decreases in serum cortisol levels and in depression ratings. Antiglucocorticoid agents may be useful probes for investigating the sequelae of hypercortisolemia in patients with major depression.