The overproduction of cortisol in the blood causes a rare multisystem disorder known endogenous Cushing’s syndrome. Cushing syndrome occurred due to prolonged exposure to elevated levels of either endogenous glucocorticoids or exogenous glucocorticoids. Symptoms of the Cushing’s syndrome may vary, but majority of people have upper body obesity, rounded face, increased fat around the neck and thinning arms and legs.
The drug known by the name of Korlym now has approved by US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of high blood sugar in patients with Cushing’s syndrome. The drug Korlym does not curb the production of cortisol but works by lowering the side-effects of excess cortisol such as high blood sugar levels.
The drug appeared to impede the binding of cortisol to its receptor, in that way easing its influences to some degree. The dug may have some side effects including headache, nausea, tiredness, decreased appetite, dizziness, swelling in the extremities and arthralgia.
In some rare cases patients complained to have vaginal bleeding which may be occurred due to heart conduction anomalies, low levels of potassium and insufficiency of adrenal gland. A clinical trial involving fifty people showed that they experienced improvement in their blood sugar levels in the course of Korlym treatment.
Some individuals also experienced a reduction in their insulin requirements subsequent to the treatment with this medication. Pregnant women should not use Korlym medication. The drug has been approved for patients suffering from Cushing’s syndrome together with type 2 diabetes or glucose intolerance.
The Korlym medication can be used only for patients who are not pertinent for surgeries or those with null response to surgeries. Researchers have warned that certain drugs when used together with Korlym may amplify the drug level. So, health care providers should be careful while using these drugs together with the treatment.