9α-fluorocortisol is a synthetic corticosteroid with moderate glucocorticoid potency and much greater mineralocorticoid potency.
Used primarily to replace the hormone aldosterone in various forms of adrenal insufficiency such as Addison’s disease, salt wasting (21-hydroxylase deficiency) form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and in the treatment of cerebral salt wasting.
First line of treatment for orthostatic hypotension and postural tachycardia syndrome.
Used as a confirmation test for diagnosing Conns Syndrome, the fludrocortisone suppression test.
Available in 0.1 mg tablets with daily doses for mineralocorticoid replacement are between 0.05 mg – 0.2 mg.
Identical to cortisol except for the substitution of fluorine in place of one hydrogen.
Associated with sodium, water retention, edema, hypertension, headache, hypokalemia, muscle weakness, impaired wound healing, increased susceptibility to infection, sweating, hirsutism, fatigue, dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, decreased bone density, thinning of skin, insomnia, depression, hyperglycemia, glaucoma and cataracts.