Canine Addison’s: How to Switch from Florinef to Percorten V

Florinef is a drug for Addison’s disease that is approved by the FDA for treating Addison’s disease in humans. It isn’t approved for use in canine Addison’s, although it is used “off label” by veterinarians for use in canine Addison’s disease. As Florinef isn’t supposed to be used in dogs, it can be difficult to find a maintenance dose — a dose that will keep your dog’s electrolytes stable. For that reason, many owner’s who have a pet with canine Addison’s choose to switch from Florinef to Percorten-V, the only drug on the market that is specifically geared towards dogs with canine Addison’s disease. Switching from Florinef to Percorten-V is relatively easy, although one you’ve made the switch, you’ll have to have a veterinarian check your pet’s electrolytes to establish that maintenance dose.

Step 1: Administer a dose of Percorten-V the day after you stop giving your pet Florinef. According to Novartis, the manufacturer of Percorten-V, the starting dose of Percorten-V is 2.2 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)
of body weight (or 1.0 milligram per pound (mg/lb) of body weight) every 25 days. If you want to know the starting dose for your pet, check our our Percorten-V calculator. While Percorten-V is administered every few weeks, Florinef is a daily tablet. Therefore, your pet must receive Percorten immediately after stopping Florinef.
Step 2:Get your pet’s electrolyte concentrations checked 24 days after they receive their first Percorten-V dose. If electrolyte levels aren’t optimal, you’ll need to tailor the dose a little.
Step 3:Check your pet’s electrolyte levels on day 25 after administering the first dose of Percorten-V. If your dog’s levels have remained stable, a second dose of Percorten-V is normally given on day 25.

Tip: Although Percorten-V has many benefits, it can be expensive. Check out this article on cheaper treatment options for canine Addison’s for some tips on how to get cheaper treatment for your pet.