Shanti has been diagnosed to have brain tumor. You would prefer to give her betamethasone /dexamethasone over hydrocoisone as steroids to decrease her cerebral edema because:: (A) They do not cause Na+ and water retention, (B) They are more potent, (C) They can be administered intravenously, (D) They inhibit brain tumours
Answer is A. * Triamcinolone, Betamethasone, Dexamethasone and Paramethasone are selective glucocoicoids (have zero mineralocoicoid action). * These are preferred for cerebral edema because they lack salt and water retaining potential (mineralocoicoid action).