Optimising prednisolone or prednisone replacement in adrenal insufficiency
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Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
CONTEXT: Patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI) have higher mortality than the general population, possibly because of excess glucocorticoid exposure at inappropriate times. The cortisol circadian rhythm is difficult to mimic with twice or thrice-daily hydrocortisone. Prednisolone is a once-daily alternative which may improve patient compliance and convenience. OBJECTIVES: Prednisolone day curves can be used to accurately down-titrate patients to the minimum effective dose. We aimed to review prednisolone day curves and determine therapeutic ranges at different timepoints after administration. METHODS: Between August 2013 and May 2021, 108 prednisolone day curves from 76 individuals receiving prednisolone replacement were analysed. Prednisolone concentrations were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between 2-, 4- and 6-hour prednisolone levels compared to the validated standard 8-hour prednisolone level (15-25 μg/L). RESULTS: The median dose was 4mg prednisolone once daily. There was strong correlation between the 4-hour and 8-hour (R=0.8829, p ≤0.0001), and 6-hour and 8-hour prednisolone levels (R=0.9530, p ≤ 0.0001). Target ranges for prednisolone were 37-62 μg/L at 4-hours, 24-39 μg/L at 6-hours and 15-25 μg/L at 8-hours. Prednisolone doses were successfully reduced in 21 individuals and of these, three were reduced to 2mg once daily. All patients were well upon follow-up. CONCLUSION: This is the largest evaluation of oral prednisolone pharmacokinetics in humans. Low dose prednisolone of 2-4mg is safe and effective in most patients with AI. Doses can be titrated with either 4-hour, 6-hour, or 8-hour single timepoint drug levels.
Date Issued
2023-07-26
Date Acceptance
2023-06-08
Citation
Endocrine Connections, 2023, 12 (8), pp.1-10
ISSN
2049-3614
Publisher
Bioscientifica
Start Page
1
End Page
10
Journal / Book Title
Endocrine Connections
Volume
12
Issue
8
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2023 the authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37289726
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
England
Article Number
EC-23-0097
Date Publish Online
2023-07-26