[Metabolic aspects of synthetic corticoids]

A number of corticoid derivatives have been synthesized principally to develop compounds which increase the ratio of anti-inflammatory effect of corticoid to that not essential for a specific therapeutic applications. During the course of the development, compounds which have a potent mineralcorticoid activity have also been synthesized. This discussion will review components influencing the response to corticoid therapy, with special reference to the structure-activity relationship, including absorption, interconversion between 11-ol and 11-ketone, distribution, metabolic aspects, and elimination. Drug interaction that may contribute to inadequate response to steroid therapy will also be reviewed.