Fludrocortisone

Fludrocortisone, sold under the brand name Florinef among others, is a <a href="/facts/Corticosteroid/jeL2QeIL">corticosteroid</a> used to treat <a href="/facts/Congenital_adrenal_hyperplasia/HTXWkLl8">congenital adrenal hyperplasia</a>, <a href="/facts/Postural_hypotension/pkeTyF8w">postural hypotension</a>, and <a href="/facts/Adrenal_insufficiency/7oxdJtF4">adrenal insufficiency</a>. In adrenal insufficiency, it is generally taken together with <a href="/facts/Hydrocortisone/zvRCrYXG">hydrocortisone</a>. Fludrocortisone is taken by mouth and is most commonly used in its <a href="/facts/Acetate/U90VVczy">acetate</a> form.
Common side effects of fludrocortisone include <a href="/facts/High_blood_pressure/wlAvBfcf">high blood pressure</a>, <a href="/facts/Edema/Q6MI3KdH">swelling</a>, <a href="/facts/Heart_failure/7fckX3Jm">heart failure</a>, and <a href="/facts/Low_blood_potassium/XvS1S7s6">low blood potassium</a>. Other serious side effects can include <a href="/facts/Immunosuppression/22GHUHkr">low immune-system function</a>, <a href="/facts/Cataracts/RzN7k7K2">cataracts</a>, muscle weakness, and mood changes. Whether use of fludrocortisone during <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a> is safe for the fetus is unknown. Fludrocortisone is mostly a <a href="/facts/Mineralocorticoid/Ruj1B1Mv">mineralocorticoid</a>, but it also has <a href="/facts/Glucocorticoid/2P91Aj3S">glucocorticoid</a> effects.
Fludrocortisone was patented in 1953. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>.

Fludrocortisone open-in-new

Fludrocortisone