A, Chemical structures of etomidate, carboetomidate, and azi-etomidate. B, Inhibition of cortisol synthesis by azi-etomidate and etomidate. At all concentrations studied, azi-etomidate and etomidate reduced cortisol concentrations in wells containing H295R cells 24 hours after simulation with forskolin. Control (no drug) cortisol concentrations were 1.86 ± 0.10 ng/mL. ***P < 0.001 versus control value; 1-way analysis of variance followed by a Dunnett multiple comparison post-test. Each column shows the mean ± SD from 4 to 8 wells.