Mineralocorticoids
- Activate mineralocorticoid receptors
- Promote renal Na+ retention and K+ loss
- Fludrocortisone is the main therapeutic drug
- Used in adrenal insufficiency + selected orthostasis
- Can cause HTN, edema + hypokalemia
- Not equivalent to glucocorticoid replacement
Class at a glance
- Activate mineralocorticoid receptors
Practical pearls
- Fludrocortisone is the main therapeutic drug
Clinical role
- Can cause HTN, edema + hypokalemia
- Not equivalent to glucocorticoid replacement
Clinical role / physiology
- Promote renal Na+ retention and K+ loss
- Used in adrenal insufficiency + selected orthostasis
Self-check
- Which drug is the main therapeutic mineralocorticoid?
Fludrocortisone. - How do mineralocorticoids affect renal sodium and potassium handling?
Na+ retention and K+ loss.
Drugs in this class (2)
Mineralocorticoids prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Corticosteroids (systemic) (1950–2026). Mineralocorticoid highlighted from 1955.
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