Addison's disease medical therapy
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Medical Therapy
Maintenance treatment
Treatment for Addison's disease involves replacing the missing cortisol (usually in the form of hydrocortisone tablets) in a dosing regimen that mimics the physiological concentrations of cortisol. Treatment must usually be continued for life. In addition, many patients require fludrocortisone as replacement for the missing aldosterone. Caution must be exercised when the person with Addison's disease becomes unwell, has surgery or becomes pregnant. Medication may need to be increased during times of stress, infection, or injury.
Addisonian crisis
Treatment for an acute attack, an Addisonian crisis, usually involves intravenous (into blood veins) injections of:
- Cortisone (cortisol)
- Saline solution (basically a salt water, same clear IV bag as used to treat dehydration)
- Glucose
Pregnancy
Many women with Addison's have given birth successfully and without complication, both through natural labor and through cesarean delivery. Both of these methods will require different preventative measures relating to Addison's medications and dosages. Thorough communication with one's primary care physician is the best course of action. Occasionally, oral intake of medications will cause debilitating nausea and vomiting, and thus the woman may be switched to injected medications until delivery. Addison's treatments are generally considered safe for the baby during pregnancy.