Addisonian Crisis – Medical Emergency

Signs of Addisonian crisis

• Severe weakness, collapse, or inability to stand
• Severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Confusion, drowsiness, or loss of consciousness
• Low blood pressure or shock
• Dehydration
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

What to do

1. Inject emergency hydrocortisone (Solu-Cortef/ hydrocortisone sodium succinate) – 100 mg intramuscularly. The patient or family should know where the injection is kept.
2. Call 112 immediately.
3. Tell the ambulance crew or emergency responders: "This person has Addison's disease and is in adrenal crisis. They need hydrocortisone."
4. If you have an emergency card, show it to first responders.

When to stress dose (increase hydrocortisone)

Increase your oral hydrocortisone during fever, infection, injury, surgery, or significant emotional stress. Your endocrinologist will give you a plan. When in doubt, take extra hydrocortisone and call your doctor.