Hormonal compositions containing enol ethers of cortisone or hydrocortisone

An oral composition having enhanced adrenocortical effect comprises a 3-enol ether of cortisone or hydrocortisone and/or a 3-enol ether of an ester of cortisone or hydrocortisone and a non-toxic pharmaceutical carrier. The compounds are preferably 3-enol alkyl, or cycloalkyl or aralkyl ethers, particularly straight chain alkyl containing 1 to 7 carbon atoms, if desired with methyl or ethyl substituents e.g. the 3-ethyl, 3-propyl, 3-isopropyl, 3-butyl-, 3-isobutyl, 3-amyl, 4-chlorobutyl, 3-hexyl and 3-heptyl enol ethers. Specified esters are the acetate, butyrate, cyclopentylpropionate and heptoate. The compositions may be in the form of syrups, liquid suspensions, tablets, powder, p capsules, troches or lozenges. Solid carriers such as lactose and liquid carriers such as vegetable oils may be present, together with a time delay material such as glyceryl mono- or distearate with or without the further addition of wax. Optional additions are (a) buffers or alkaline substances to prevent the 3-enol ethers from hydrolysing in an acidic medium (b) anti-oxidants (c) preservatives (d) other adrenal hormones such as 3-enol ethers of desoxy- and dehydrocortisone. Specification 922,511 is referred to.