Fludrocortisone acetate (Fludrocortisone acetate)
Overview of Fludrocortisone acetate
Fludrocortisone (Acetate) is a potent steroid with both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid activity. Fludrocortisone (Acetate) is the most widely used mineralocorticoid. Chemically Fludrocortisone (Acetate) is identified as 9-Fluoro-11 ß, 17, 21-trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione 21-acetate. It acts on the kidneys to retain sodium and increases the excretion of potassium in the urine. Fludrocortisone (Acetate) is used in the treatment of addisons disease.
Indication of Fludrocortisone acetate
Fludrocortisone Acetate is primarily indicated in conditions like Adrenal insufficiency, As an antidote to methotrexate, Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Electrolyte disorder, Mineralocorticoid replacement in adrenocortical insuffenciency, Orthostatic hypotension, Peripheral ischaemia.
Contraindication of Fludrocortisone acetate
Fludrocortisone (Acetate) is contraindicated in conditions like Hypertension,Hypokalaemia,Hypoalbuminaemia,Fluid retention.
Side Effects of Fludrocortisone acetate
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Fludrocortisone (Acetate), which give rise to further complications include Peptic ulceration, Myopathy, Adrenal suppression, Diabetogenesis, Impaired immune response.,Fludrocortisone (Acetate) produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Myocardial infarction, Cardiac failure, Cardiac stroke. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Fludrocortisone (Acetate) therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Fludrocortisone (Acetate) include Edema, Fluid retension, Pleural effusion, Cardiac enlargement.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Fludrocortisone (Acetate) are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Headache, Muscle weakness, Hypokalemia, Edema.
Precautions of Fludrocortisone acetate
Fludrocortisone should be used with caution in patients with active tuberculosis infection of respiratory tract or in untreated fungal, bacterial or systemic viral infections. Corticosteroids should only be used systemically with great caution in the presence of congestive heart failure (CHF), recent myocardial infraction (MI), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, glaucoma, hypothyroidism, liver failure, osteoporosis, peptic ulceration or renal impairment. Children may be at increase risk of some adverse effects, corticosteroid causes growth retardation and prolonged use is rarely justified. Passive immunization is recommended to non-immune patients who do come in contact with chickenpox or measles. Live vaccine should not be given to patients receiving high dose systemic corticosteroid therapy nor for atleast 3 months afterwards, killed vaccine or toxoids may be given, although the response may be attenuated. During prolong treatment with corticosteroids, patients should be examine regularly, sodium intake may need to be reduced and calcium and potassium supplement may be necessary. Patient should carry cards given full details of their corticosteroid therapy. Avoid use during pregnancy. Use nasal steroids with caution until healing has occurred.