Floricot (fludrocortisone) is a potent corticosteroid used in treating Addison's disease, postural hypotension, adrenal insufficiency, and other conditions that cause glucocorticoid imbalances due to adrenal gland disease.

Floricot can be tremendously beneficial when used as directed. If misused, it can cause serious complications. All patients taking this medication should follow doctor instructions regarding dosage and administration carefully.

The Importance of Glucocorticoids

Though relatively rare, there are several conditions which can influence the natural occurrence of glucocorticoids in the body, such as Addison's disease, adrenocortical insufficiency, salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome, and others. Many of these conditions can appear at any age, and are often associated with autoimmune disorders or long-lasting diseases, such as tuberculosis or cancer. If severe enough, the condition can have a dramatically negative effect on quality of life, and even life itself.

A few things glucocorticoids are responsible for:

• Balancing salt and water levels in the kidneys
• Maintaining healthy blood pressure
• Breaking down protein, fats and carbohydrates
• Responding to stress
• Controlling inflammation
• Maintaining cardiovascular health
• Numerous other functions

Floricot can counter the effects of imbalanced glucocorticoids, and patients can generally resume a normal life. Floricot patients are almost always also given cortisone or hydrocortisone to enhance treatment, and use of other medications to further address the underlying issue is also common.

Taking Floricot

Floricot comes in tablets, usually 0.1 mg strength. Treatment can be a little tricky, and doctor instructions may deviate from the guidelines below. Doctor instructions should always be followed.

To treat low glucocorticoid levels:

• Patients are started on 0.1 mg per day. This is adequate for most patients.
• Some patients may be increased to 0.2 mg per day.
• Other patients will be reduced to 0.1 mg three times per week.
• Patients with hypertension will be reduced to 0.05 mg per day.

If taking with cortisone or hydrocortisone, as will likely be the case, dosage for those medications is usually:

• Hydrocortisone - 10 mg to 30 mg per day, divided into two doses.
• Cortisone - 10 mg to 37.5 mg per day, divided into two doses.

To treat postural hypotension:

• Patients are typically started on 0.1 mg per day.
• Dosage may be increased by 0.1 mg per week, up to 1 mg per day.
• Most patients find more than 0.3 mg per day provides no significant benefit.

Treatment can continue for as long as it provides benefit, and as long as no adverse reactions develop. Patients taking Floricot will need to attend regular doctor checkups---particularly at the start of treatment---to ensure the medication is working correctly and to monitor for developing side effects.

Patients who take Floricot for more than a week should not end treatment abruptly; speak with a doctor about a discontinuation plan.

Potential Complications

Floricot can mask the symptoms of other conditions, worsen other conditions, and alter lab screenings. It's important that the prescribing doctor is aware of any other medical condition present, and that any doctor running tests is aware that Floricot is being taken.

Floricot can impact how well the immune system works. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations during treatment, and avoid those who have recently had them. Take care to avoid other scenarios in which infection is likely.

Elderly patients may be more at risk of experiencing side effects and may require closer monitoring.

Children taking Floricot, or any steroid, long-term may be at risk for stunted growth and other permanent abnormalities.

Floricot should not be taken by anyone with a systemic fungal infection.

Used as directed most side effects are relatively mild, including stomach upset, infrequent headaches, and irregular menstruation. Less commonly, though, more serious side effects develop, which call for medical attention:

• Severe or continuous headache
• Rapid, irregular, or slow heartbeat
• Pain or redness in the eyes
• Vision changes
• Mental/mood changes
• Seizures
• Blood in stools or vomit

Always double-check with a doctor or pharmacist with regards to safety before taking new medications, including over-the-counter varieties.