Are there any medical treatments for ACTH producing tumors?
Yes and no. There are medications which can reduce cortisol production by the adrenal glands, but these medications do not have any effect of the pituitary overproduction of the hormone ACTH (the pituitary hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands to make too much cortisol). Thus, medications are used to control adrenal gland cortisol overproduction, but do not treat the source of the problem – the pituitary gland. Some of the medications used include ketoconazole (Nizoral) and metyrapone (Metopirone). These medications are often used for patients who have persistent Cushing’s after surgery and radiation, while waiting for the radiation to become effective. If a drug to lower cortisol is prescribed, careful monitoring is necessary to determine if the dose is effective (measure 24 hour urine cortisol level) and to make sure it does not reduce cortisol to below normal (measure morning blood cortisol level).
Yes and no. There are medications that can reduce cortisol production by the adrenal glands, but medication does not have any effect on the pituitary overproduction of the hormone ACTH (the pituitary hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands to make too much cortisol). Thus, medication is used to control adrenal gland cortisol overproduction, but does not treat the source of the problem – the pituitary gland. Ketoconazole is a medication that reduces adrenal gland cortisol production. This medication is most often used in patients who have persistent Cushing’s after surgery and/or radiation, while waiting for the radiation to become effective. If a drug to lower cortisol is prescribed, careful monitoring is necessary to determine if the dose is effective (measure 24 hour urine cortisol level), to make sure it does not reduce cortisol to below normal (measure morning blood cortisol level) and to make sure there is no ill effect on the liver. Another medication that reduces cortisol pro
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