Cortisol

Category: hormone

Aliases: Hydrocortisone (when exogenous), 11β,17α,21-trihydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione

Pharmacological Mechanism

Principal human glucocorticoid. Synthesised from cholesterol in the zona fasciculata under HPA-axis control (CRH → ACTH → cortisol). Binds GR → nuclear translocation → transactivation (anti-inflammatory genes) and transrepression (NF-κB, AP-1). Diurnal peak 06:00–08:00, nadir 00:00. Negative feedback at hypothalamus + pituitary.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 2h, IV: 2h, IM: 2h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 20mg (Range: 15 - 30 mg)
• IV: Typical 20mg (Range: 15 - 30 mg)
• IM: Typical 20mg (Range: 15 - 30 mg)
• TD: Typical 20mg (Range: 15 - 30 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• cardiovascular
• endocrine
• immune-hematologic

Interactions

• Ashwagandha