IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING

ADRENAL CRISIS
Dear Doctor, Ambulance Paramedic, Triage Nurse,

The person you are attending to has ADDISON’S DISEASE and is prone to an adrenal crisis which is a
LIFE THREATENING CONDITION.

PRESENTATION
• Dizziness, nausea, vomiting or collapse
• May or may not appear extremely ill
• Hypotension or postural hypotension are signs that urgent treatment may be
required

The patient should be assessed by: Lying and sitting/standing blood pressure.

TREATMENT OF ADRENAL CRISIS

ADDISON’S DISEASE
If the patient presents with the above signs or symptoms then you should immediately
administer the following, even though the patient may not necessarily appear unwell.
ADRENAL INSUFFICIENCY
• Parenteral Hydrocortisone 100mg (or equivalant dose of other glucocorticoid if
hydrocortisone is unavailable) IVI or IMI should be given immediately for adrenal
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
crisis. Subsequent hydrocortisone 100mg IV or IM should be given every 6 hours,
with
Keep this card on the reducing doses
fridge or near and eventual return to usual oral glucocorticoid replacement
the phone.
depending on clinical condition and ability to swallow and absorb tablets
• IV saline should be given at a rate depending on patients blood pressure with
GENCY CONTACTS appropriate cautions in the presence of cardiac or renal disease
NAME PHONE
Even where symptoms are not yet present, severely unwell patients may be at risk of the
P rapid development of adrenal crisis which can be averted by IV/IM hydrocortisone 100mg
nologist
The patient should be transported immediately to a hospital for all adrenal crises.

ecialists

to call Dr:
rgency

ospital
Ph:

cations:
Alternatively, you can contact the Endocrinology Registrar at a major teaching hospital.

ditions:

Group: The information in this letter has been provided by the Australian Addison’s Disease Association in conjunction with health care
professionals and endocrinologists. It is aimed at providing emergency treatment information for a patient with Addison’s Disease.

Australian
P.O Addison’s Disease Association
Advising health care professionals:
E
ASSO

Addison’s TravelDavid
Kit J Torpy Box 224 NEW LAMBTON NSW 2305
SEAS

Professor
CIAT

ALWAYS
SeniorCARRY:
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Consultant Endocrinologist
Raising Awareness0455 534472 - w w w.addi sons.org.au
Of Addison’s Disease & Supplying A Caring Network For Mem
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a medicationRoyal Adelaide
& steroid injectableHospital
in a cool bag ABN: 60 466 289 835
NC.

North
salty Terrace, ADELAIDE
sweet to eat SA 5000
ADD

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nergy
AUSTRALIAN
P.O. Box 224, New La
www.addisons.org.au