Which side effect is specifically associated with adrenal suppression from etomidate?

Which side effect is specifically associated with adrenal suppression from etomidate?

• A. Adrenocortical suppression
• B. Myoclonus
• C. Postoperative nausea and vomiting
• D. Acute intermittent porphyria

Answer: (A)

Etomidate reduces cortisol production by inhibiting the enzyme 11β-hydroxylase in the adrenal cortex. This direct block of adrenal steroid synthesis causes adrenocortical suppression, especially with induction doses, blunting the stress response to surgery or illness. That adrenal suppression is the side effect specifically tied to etomidate’s mechanism. The other effects listed—myoclonus, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and acute intermittent porphyria—do not reflect this adrenal axis suppression.

Etomidate reduces cortisol production by inhibiting the enzyme 11β-hydroxylase in the adrenal cortex. This direct block of adrenal steroid synthesis causes adrenocortical suppression, especially with induction doses, blunting the stress response to surgery or illness. That adrenal suppression is the side effect specifically tied to etomidate’s mechanism. The other effects listed—myoclonus, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and acute intermittent porphyria—do not reflect this adrenal axis suppression.