How is cortisol typically administered to patients?

The administration of cortisol to patients is commonly achieved through oral or injection routes, making it effective for a variety of conditions. When taken orally, cortisol can be absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract and exert systemic effects. This route is often preferred for chronic management of conditions such as adrenal insufficiency, where oral formulations provide a convenient and effective means of maintaining adequate hormone levels.

Alternatively, injecting cortisol—whether intramuscularly or intravenously—enables quicker adjustments in hormone levels, which is especially useful in acute scenarios or when rapid action is needed. This can be seen in cases such as adrenal crisis or severe inflammatory conditions where immediate relief is crucial.

Other routes such as topical or intranasal administration are not typical for cortisol, primarily because they do not provide sufficient systemic absorption necessary for effective therapy in conditions requiring significant corticosteroid modulation. Similarly, while there are corticosteroids available for inhalation, cortisol itself is generally not administered through this route for systemic effects, which reduces its applicability in primary treatment strategies. Thus, the oral or injection routes are the most common and relevant methods for delivering cortisol to patients.