What is fludrocortisone?
Fludrocortisone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Fludrocortisone prevents the release
of substances in the body that cause inflammation.
Fludrocortisone is used to treat conditions in which the body does not produce enough of
its own steroids, such as Addison's disease, and salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome.
Fludrocortisone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fludrocortisone?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to fludrocortisone, or if you
have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.
Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an
infection. Steroids can also worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you
recently had. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about any illness or infection you
have had within the past several weeks.
Other medical conditions you should tell your doctor about before taking fludrocortisone
include:
-
liver disease (such as cirrhosis);
-
kidney disease;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
diabetes;
-
a history of malaria;
-
tuberculosis;
-
osteoporosis;
-
a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
-
glaucoma or cataracts;
-
herpes infection of the eyes;
-
stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis;
-
depression or mental illness;
-
congestive heart failure; or
-
high blood pressure
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take fludrocortisone.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Fludrocortisone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use
this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take fludrocortisone?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Your steroid medication needs may change if you have unusual stress such as a serious
illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about
any such situation that affects you.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using fludrocortisone.
Do not stop using fludrocortisone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal
symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the
medication.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid,
in case of emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you
should know that you are taking steroid medication.
Store fludrocortisone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of fludrocortisone?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about fludrocortisone?
Your pharmacist has information about fludrocortisone written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of fludrocortisone?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
problems with your vision;
-
swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
-
severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure
(convulsions);
-
bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;
-
pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading
to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate);
-
low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst,
increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or
-
dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred
vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven
heartbeats, seizure).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes;
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acne, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration;
-
slow wound healing;
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increased sweating;
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headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;
-
nausea, stomach pain, bloating; or
-
changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in
your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about fludrocortisone?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to fludrocortisone, or if you
have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.
Before taking fludrocortisone, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, and
about all other medicines you are using.
There are many other diseases that can be
affected by steroid use, and many other medicines that can interact with steroids.
Your steroid medication needs may change if you have any unusual stress such as a
serious illness, fever or infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your
doctor about any such situation that affects you during treatment.
Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an
infection or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor
about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive
treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even
fatal in people who are using steroid medication.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are taking fludrocortisone. Vaccines may not
work as well while you are taking a steroid.
Do not stop using fludrocortisone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal
symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the
medication.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid,
in case of emergency.
What should I avoid while taking fludrocortisone?
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive
treatment if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even
fatal in people who are using steroid medication.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are being treated with fludrocortisone.
Vaccines may not work as well while you are taking a steroid.
What other drugs will affect fludrocortisone?
There are many other medicines that can interact with steroids.
Below is only a partial list of these medicines:
-
aspirin (taken on a daily basis or at high doses);
-
amphotericin B (Fungizone);
-
a diuretic (water pill);
-
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
-
phenytoin (Dilantin);
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
-
birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;
-
an anabolic steroid such as oxymetholone (Anadrol-50),
nandrolone (Durabolin, others), and others; or
-
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital
(Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal,
Solfoton).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with fludrocortisone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of fludrocortisone?
