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Metopirone Dosage

Generic name: METYRAPONE 250mg
Dosage form: capsule, gelatin coated
Drug classes: Adrenal corticosteroid inhibitors, In vivo diagnostic biologicals

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 31, 2025.

Important Information Before Conducting Metopirone Testing

Stop drugs affecting pituitary or adrenocortical function before administration of Metopirone in accordance with half-life of the drugs (consider at least 5 half-lives to avoid any interference with Metopirone testing). .

Assess ability of patient's adrenals to respond to exogenous ACTH before Metopirone is employed as a test .

Single-Dose Short Test- Recommended Dose and Interpretation

​This test, usually given on an outpatient basis, determines plasma 11-desoxycortisol and/or ACTH levels after a single dose of Metopirone. Patients with suspected adrenocortical insufficiency based on the test results previously performed should be hospitalized overnight as a precautionary measure ( see Warnings and Precaution (5.1)).

Recommended Dose

​In adult and pediatric patients, the recommended single dose is 30 mg/kg (maximum 3 grams of Metopirone) administered at midnight with milk/yogurt or snack. The blood sample for the assay is taken early the following morning (7:30-8:00 a.m.). After the blood sample is collected, a prophylactic dose of glucocorticoid may be considered for patients with high risk for acute adrenal insufficiency.

Interpretation of 11‑desoxycortisol and ACTH Levels After Metopirone Administration

​Approximately 8 hours after administration of Metopirone, evaluate the values of ACTH and 11-desoxycortisol. Normal values will depend on the method used to determine ACTH and 11‑desoxycortisol levels. An intact HPA axis function is generally indicated by an increase in 11‑desoxycortisol to over 70 mcg/L. Because of an overlap between a normal ACTH response and an abnormal ACTH response, the ACTH response alone cannot be used to distinguish between healthy individuals and those with adrenal insufficiency.

Further information

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