[Effects of locally administered corticosteroids on mineral metabolism]

The author performed a prospective study to test the mineralocorticoid activity of high doses of topically applied corticosteroids. Eight patients were treated with prednisolone eye drops. Twelve patients received fluorhydrocortisone, 9 patients triamcinolone acetonide and 11 dexamethasone; subconjunctival or parabulbar injections were used in all cases. Only the patients treated with fluorhydrocortisone showed a mineralocorticoid effect, i.e., reduced sodium excretion and a high potassium waste in the urine together with a decrease in serum potassium. Fluorhydrocortisone must not be applied topically because the risk of hypokalemia involved is so great.