Hormone Therapy Hormone 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%

Indicated to support physiological testosterone levels and developed to address symptoms associated with hypogonadism in adult males.

From $8.24 / sachet View

Florinef

Fludrocortisone

100mcg

Formulated to alleviate adrenal insufficiency by replacing deficient mineralocorticoids.

From $0.77 / tablet View

Ddavp

Desmopressin

200mcg

Formulated to target hormonal regulation to support proper fluid balance.

From $1.95 / tablet View

Samsca

Tolvaptan

15 · 30mg

Designed to target fluid balance abnormalities by antagonizing vasopressin receptors to alleviate symptoms associated with hyponatraemia.

From $5.02 / tablet View

Key takeaways

  • 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.

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.

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