DRUG-INDUCED CUSHING-SYNDROME IN A PATIENT WITH ULCERATIVE-COLITIS AFTER BETAMETHASONE ENEMA - EVALUATION OF PLASMA DRUG CONCENTRATION

The authors report the induction of Gushing syndrome by daily betameth asone enema in a patient with ulcerative colitis, and they determine f or the first time the pharmacokinetic profile of betamethasone after r ectal dosing. The authors found high plasma concentrations of betameth asone, which could have been enough to cause Gushing syndrome. Suppres sion of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis disappeared after the dose schedule was changed from every day to three times a week. These findings suggest that a considerable amount of betamethasone is absorb ed after rectal dosing.