Pharmacotherapeutic group: Corticosteroids for systemic use, mineralocorticoids
ATCvet code: QH02AA03
Pharmacodynamic properties
Desoxycortone is a corticosteroid with primarily mineralocorticoid activity, similar to aldosterone. In the kidney, desoxycortone causes sodium and chloride ion retention, and hydrogen and potassium ion excretion, creating an osmotic gradient. The osmotic gradient promotes water absorption from the renal tubules resulting in increased extracellular fluid volume, leading to blood volume expansion, improved venous return to the heart, and increased cardiac output.
Pharmacokinetic properties
After subcutaneous administration of desoxycortone pivalate at a dose of 11 mg/kg body weight (five times the recommended dosage), the plasma half-life (mean ± standard deviation) is approximately 17 ± 7 days, with a maximum concentration (Cmax) of 13.2 ± 5 ng/ml, and time to maximum concentration (Tmax) of 10 ± 3.5 days.