[The inactivation of glucocorticosteroid hormones by rifampicin when it is used intermittently].

The content of cortisol was examined radioimmunologically in 60 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis with the purpose to evaluate the inactivating effect of rifampicin on exogenous glucocorticoid hormones. Separate administration of hormones and rifampicin did not effect changes of endogenous cortisol indicating increased metabolism of glucocorticosteroids. Separate administration of hormones and rifampicin does not allow to avoid the inactivating effect of rifampicin on exogenous glucocorticosteroid hormones. Rifampicin did not change the level of endogenous cortisol.