Shanti has been diagnosed to have brain tumor. You would prefer to give her betamethasone/dexamethasonc over hydrocoisonc 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. (Ref: KDT 6/e p285) 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).