By measuring the pharmacokinetics of dexamethasone in 48 patients with
various degrees of disturbances in liver function, we could demonstra
te 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 diagnosti
c or therapeutic purpose needs to be adjusted in such patients.