From the Guidelines
Mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids are available under several brand names, with the primary mineralocorticoid medication being fludrocortisone, sold under the brand name Florinef, and common glucocorticoid brand names including Prednisone, Medrol, Decadron, Cortef, Kenalog, and Celestone. The brand names of mineralcorticoids and glucocorticoids are as follows:
- Mineralcorticoids: Florinef (fludrocortisone) 1
- Glucocorticoids:
- Prednisone (generic prednisone)
- Medrol (methylprednisolone)
- Decadron (dexamethasone)
- Cortef (hydrocortisone)
- Kenalog (triamcinolone)
- Celestone (betamethasone) 1 These medications vary in potency, duration of action, and mineralocorticoid effects, and are prescribed for numerous conditions including inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergic reactions, and adrenal insufficiency, with dosing varying widely depending on the condition being treated 1. For example, hydrocortisone has significant mineralocorticoid activity while dexamethasone has almost none 1. Glucocorticoids work by binding to glucocorticoid receptors in cells, which leads to anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects through regulation of gene expression 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection has a rapid onset but short duration of action when compared with less soluble preparations. Because of this, it is suitable for the treatment of acute disorders responsive to adrenocortical steroid therapy Naturally occurring glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone and cortisone), which also have salt-retaining properties, are used as replacement therapy in adrenocortical deficiency states. Their synthetic analogs, including dexamethasone, are primarily used for their potent anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems. ACTIONS Naturally occurring glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone and cortisone), which also have salt-retaining properties, are used as replacement therapy in adrenocortical deficiency states. Their synthetic analogs are primarily used for their potent anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems.
The brand names of the mineralcorticoids are not mentioned in the provided drug labels. The brand names of the glucocorticoids mentioned are:
- Dexamethasone 2
- Methylprednisolone 3 Key points:
- Hydrocortisone and cortisone are naturally occurring glucocorticoids.
- Dexamethasone and methylprednisolone are synthetic analogs of glucocorticoids.
From the Research
Mineralocorticoids and Glucocorticoids
- The brand name of a mineralocorticoid is Florinef, which is a synthetic steroid with a potent mineralocorticoid action, specifically fludrocortisone acetate 4.
- The brand names of glucocorticoids are not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies, but the studies mention the use of hydrocortisone and cortisone acetate as glucocorticoids 5, 6.
Treatment of Addison's Disease
- Patients with Addison's disease require mineralocorticoid replacement, i.e., fludrocortisone 0.05 - 0.20 mg once daily 5.
- Starting doses of glucocorticoids should be 15 - 20 mg for hydrocortisone or 20 - 30 mg for cortisone acetate, divided into two or three doses, and preferentially weight-adjusted 5.
- New treatment modalities such as modified-released hydrocortisone and continuous subcutaneous hydrocortisone infusion have recently been developed 6.