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Hormone TherapyHormone Therapy

Hormone and endocrine medicines replace a missing hormone or alter a specific hormone pathway. Each medicine in this category treats a different diagnosed condition and requires its own monitoring plan.

Androgel

Testosterone

1%

Testosterone 1% gel, applied to the skin for hypogonadism. Exogenous testosterone acting at androgen receptors, absorbed through the skin rather than swallowed.

From$8.24/ sachetView

Florinef

Fludrocortisone

100mcg

Fludrocortisone 100mcg tablets, used in the management of adrenal insufficiency and adrenogenital syndrome. A potent synthetic mineralocorticoid.

From$0.77/ tabletView

DDAVP

Desmopressin

200mcg

Desmopressin 200mcg tablets, used in the management of diabetes insipidus, bedwetting and nocturnal enuresis. A vasopressin analogue that conserves water.

From$1.95/ tabletView

Samsca

Tolvaptan

15 · 30mg

Tolvaptan 15mg and 30mg tablets, used in the management of hyponatraemia and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. A V2 receptor antagonist.

From$5.02/ tabletView

Key points

  • Fludrocortisone, desmopressin, tolvaptan and testosterone are not interchangeable forms of hormone replacement.
  • Fluid balance, blood pressure, electrolytes, liver function or hormone levels may need monitoring, depending on treatment.
  • Severe weakness, confusion, collapse, repeated vomiting or a major change in thirst or urination require urgent assessment.

The listings are for comparison; suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, stock, destination rules and any prescription requirements.

How the medicine groups differ

  • Adrenal replacement: fludrocortisone replaces mineralocorticoid activity in selected adrenal disorders.
  • Fluid-balance medicines: desmopressin acts like vasopressin, while tolvaptan blocks vasopressin receptors. They have opposite effects in different conditions.
  • Androgen replacement: testosterone may be used only after compatible symptoms and low levels have been clinically assessed.

What these medicines are used for

Linked conditions include adrenal insufficiency and diabetes insipidus, alongside other diagnosed endocrine or fluid-balance disorders. These replace or mimic a hormone the body is not producing in the right amount, so dosing follows measured levels rather than symptoms alone. With several of them, stopping abruptly is more dangerous than the condition being treated.

Important safety checks

Electrolytes, fluid intake, blood pressure, liver or kidney health, pregnancy and interacting medicines can affect safety. Do not adjust fluid intake or stop adrenal replacement based only on catalogue information; follow the treating team’s sick-day and monitoring plan.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent help for collapse, confusion, seizure, repeated vomiting, severe weakness, inability to keep replacement medicine down, or a sudden major change in thirst, urination or fluid balance.

Further reading

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