Why is this drug prescribed?

Florinef tablets contain the active fludrocortisone, which is a type of drug known as a corticosteroid. Corticosteroid drugs are derivatives of the corticosteroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone that are produced naturally by the adrenal glands. They are often simply called steroids, but it should be noted that they are very different from another group of steroids, called anabolic steroids, which have gained notoriety because of their abuse by some athletes and body builders. Corticosteroids have many important functions on every organ system. They affect the strength of heart muscle and its response to natural chemicals affecting heart rate. They affect the water and salt balance in the body and also enable the body to cope with stress. Stress includes changes in temperature, pain, fear, anxiety and illness. This can be hazardous if the body is not equipped to cope due to low levels of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids allow us to respond to stress by increasing the rate and force of the heartbeat, increasing blood supply to essential tissues, increasing the body's supply of energy by raising blood sugar and by several other effects on body systems. If the body's natural level of steroid hormones is too low because the adrenal glands are not producing enough hormones, this can cause various symptoms, such as dizziness, fatigue, weakness, gut symptoms, depression and joint and muscle pain. It can also lead to collapse and death if the body is put under stress. Low blood levels of corticosteroids must be treated with replacement therapy to allow the body to function normally. Fludrocortisone is used as replacement therapy. It's action in the body is most similar to the natural steroid hormone aldosterone. It is normally used in combination with hydrocortisone tablets for complete replacement therapy. Hydrocortisone is used to replace the natural steroid hormone cortisol. Fludrocortisone is also used to treat a disorder called salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome. In this syndrome there is abnormal production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands and as a result, decreased production of natural aldosterone. Aldosterone is involved in regulating the salt and fluid balance in the body. If too little aldosterone is produced, this can cause too much salt to be lost in the urine. Since fludrocortisone is similar to aldosterone, it can be used to treat this condition. It causes the kidneys to retain fluid and salt in the body. Steroid replacement treatment is almost always lifelong.

Treatments

* Inadequate production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands. * Hormonal disorder resulting from abnormal steroid production by the adrenal glands and associated with loss of salt in the urine.

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Sodium and water retention. * Swelling due to fluid retention * High blood pressure. * Headache. * Low blood potassium level * Muscle weakness. * Fatigue. * Increased susceptibility to infection. * Impaired wound healing. * Increased sweating. * Increased hair growth * Thinning of skin and stretch marks. * Disturbances of the gut such as indigestion, distention of the abdomen and ulceration. * Decreased bone density and increased risk of fractures of the bones. * Difficulty in sleeping * Depression. * Weight gain. * Raised blood sugar level. * Changes to your menstrual cycle. * Partial loss of vision due to opacity in the lens of the eye * Raised pressure in the eye * Increased pressure in the skull