Bracelet(medic alert) and carry a wallet card stating the patient has addison's disease so that appropriate therapy initiated in case of and emergency . Provide verbal instruction and handouts about other medication that can cause a need to increase (e.g.,phenytion barbiturate,rifampin,antacids) or decrease (e.g.,estrogen)glucocorticoid dosage . Instruct pateints using mineralocorticoid therapy (fludrocortisone) how yo take their BP,increase salt intake,and report any significant changes to their health care provider.
The pateint should carry and emergency kit at all times with 100 mg of IM hydrocortisone,syring,and intruction for use.Instruct the pateint andsignificant other in how to give and IM injection in case the hormone therapy cannot be taken orally. Have the pateint verbalize instruction and practice IM injection with saline .provide written instruction on when the dose should be changed.