Use of glucocorticoid receptor antagonists in combination with glucocorticoids to treat adrenal insufficiency

A method of treating secondary adrenal insufficiency, the method comprising co-administering a therapeutically effective amount of a glucocorticoid (GC) and a cyclohexyl pyrimidine glucocorticoid receptor antagonist (GRA) to a patient in need thereof, wherein said co-administering comprises administering, once per day for at least a week, initial low dose amounts of between 100 milligrams (mg) and 150 mg of the cyclohexyl pyrimidine GRA along with initial high dose amounts of said GC administration, and wherein said initial high dose amount of said GC is between 15 and 30 mg of the GC, and then continuing to co-administer the GC and the cyclohexyl pyrimidine GRA once per day, wherein said continued once per day cyclohexyl pyrimidine GRA administration is at a cyclohexyl pyrimidine GRA dose amount that is greater than said initial cyclohexyl pyrimidine GRA low dose amount, and wherein said continued GC administration is at a GC dose amount that is less than said initial GC high dose amount, effective to increase the patient's morning plasma levels of cortisol to at least about 12 μg/dL, whereby said secondary adrenal insufficiency is treated.