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Can Fludrocortisone Be Abruptly Discontinued?

Posted on Mon, 27 Mar 2017

Question: I have take fludrocortisone for 15 or more years because I have Addison's Disease. I've never gone without it, but I couldn't afford my medication this month, so I haven't taken it for over a week. I'm not having an "Addison's crisis" at this time. What will going without it do to me?

I have not received your answer yet. I hope you send it to my email, not my XXXXXXX phone. My XXXXXXX phone is not smart at all -- it's a XXXX... It does not always work where I live.

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
About Fludrocortisone

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern.

Fludrocortisone usually is used together with hydrocortisone to treat adrenal insufficiency as it has mainly mineralocorticoid effect and a low corticosteroid effect.

If you stop taking it suddenly, you may have postural hypotension (positional drop of blood pressure) or electrolyte disturbances (high potassium, low sodium).

So, it is not as essential as hydrocortisone but you should not stop it without your physician's consensus.

Hope the information will help, feel free to ask further.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Mirjeta Guni (30 minutes later)

Thank you, Dr. Guni. Your response was very helpful. My doctor is visiting XXXXXXX this month, so I cannot see her. I do have that positional drop of blood pressure, fatigue and bowel distress, which I have experienced in the past. I'm very happy to know that this is not going to seriously harm me, provided I resume the fludrocortisone. I will be able to afford my medication by next week. I was diagnosed with Addison's disease 30 years ago and my last endocrinologist started me on the fludrocortisone about 15 years ago or so. I do take my condition seriously, as I have had 'crisis-es!'. Again, thank you Dr. Guni.
Sincerely, XXXXXXX XXXX

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Restart fludrocortison!

Detailed Answer:
Will be a pleasure to help you in the future Jeanne!
Best wishes!
Dr.Mirjeta

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D