Fludrocortisone: What It Does, Who Uses It, and What You Need to Know
When your body doesn’t make enough fludrocortisone, a synthetic mineralocorticoid that helps your kidneys hold onto salt and water. It’s not a hormone your body makes naturally—but it acts like the one your adrenal glands should be producing. Without it, you might feel dizzy, tired, or swollen, especially when standing up. People with Addison’s disease, a condition where the adrenal glands fail to produce enough cortisol and aldosterone rely on fludrocortisone to keep their blood pressure stable and avoid dangerous drops in sodium. It’s also used for orthostatic hypotension, a type of low blood pressure that hits when you stand up, helping people stay upright without fainting.
Fludrocortisone isn’t a steroid like prednisone or hydrocortisone that reduces inflammation. It’s a salt-retaining steroid, which means its job is simple: tell your kidneys to keep sodium and water instead of flushing them out. That’s why it’s often paired with hydrocortisone in adrenal patients—hydrocortisone replaces cortisol, fludrocortisone replaces aldosterone. If you’re on this drug, you’ll likely need to watch your salt intake. Too little salt makes it less effective; too much can cause swelling or high blood pressure. It’s not for everyone. People with heart failure, kidney disease, or high blood pressure need to be careful. Side effects like weight gain, leg swelling, or mood changes are common but manageable with the right dose.
What you’ll find in the posts below is a collection of real-world connections: how fludrocortisone fits into broader treatment plans for adrenal disorders, how it compares to other drugs that affect fluid balance like amiloride or spironolactone, and why some people need it for life while others only take it temporarily. You’ll also see how it relates to conditions like chronic kidney disease and fluid retention, where balancing salt and water is just as critical. These aren’t theoretical discussions—they’re from people managing these conditions every day. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, adjusting your dose, or just trying to understand why your doctor prescribed it, the posts here give you the practical details you won’t get from a pamphlet.
Addison’s Disease: Understanding Adrenal Insufficiency and Lifelong Steroid Replacement
Addison’s disease is a life-threatening condition caused by adrenal gland failure. Learn how steroid replacement therapy works, why adrenal crises happen, and how to manage this rare disorder safely every day.
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