What type of medication is commonly used to treat Addison's Disease?

The treatment for Addison's Disease primarily involves the replacement of the hormones that the adrenal glands are not producing in sufficient amounts, particularly cortisol. Glucocorticoids, which are a class of steroid hormones, are commonly used because they mimic the effects of cortisol. Medication such as hydrocortisone or dexamethasone, both of which fall under glucocorticoids, helps to control symptoms related to the deficiency of cortisol, including fatigue, weight loss, and low blood pressure.

In the context of Addison's Disease, the objective of glucocorticoid therapy is to restore normal hormone levels in the body, thus alleviating the various symptoms and preventing an adrenal crisis, which can be life-threatening. This is essential because Addison's Disease is characterized by an underproduction of adrenal hormones.

Other medication types listed do not address the underlying hormonal deficiency seen in Addison's Disease: antibiotics treat infections, diuretics manage fluid balance and hypertension, and antidepressants address mood disorders, none of which provide the necessary glucocorticoid hormone replacement required for the proper management of Addison's.