The effects of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (Solu-Medrole®) in shock were studied by the double blind technique at 32 medical centers, using hydrocor. tisone sodium succinate (Solu-Cortef®) as the active control drug. Either methylprednisolone sodium succinate or hydrocortisone sodium succinate was administered in an initial dose of 20-30 mg per kg of body weight to each of 135 patients. Any patients who failed to respond well to the initial doses were given additional doses. The effects of the steroids used were evaluated within 12 hours following the final doses.
The results obtained are as follows:
1. The general improvement rate was higher for the methylprednisolone sodium succinate group than for the hydrocortisone sodium succinate group.
2. The global utility rate was greater for the methylrednisolone sodium succinate group than for the hydrocortisone sodium succinate group.
3. Methylprednisolone sodium succinate group showed a greater improvement than the hydrocoritsone sodium succinate group in the post-treatment measurements of shock score, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, shock index, urinary output, arterial blood pH and Base Excess.
