fludrocortisone

Do not take fludrocortisone if you have a serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Fludrocortisone weakens your body’s immune response and thus its ability to fight infection.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• high blood pressure or heart disease,

• kidney disease,

• liver disease,

• hypothyroidism,

• tuberculosis,

• diabetes mellitus,

• psychiatric conditions,

• ulcerative colitis,

• stomach ulcers,

• myasthenia gravis,

• osteoporosis, or

• any other medical conditions.

You may not be able to take fludrocortisone, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Fludrocortisone is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether fludrocortisone will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Fludrocortisone passes into breast milk. Do not take fludrocortisone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take fludrocortisone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Fludrocortisone can be taken with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

Try to take your dose at the same time each day.

Do not stop taking fludrocortisone suddenly if you have been taking it for a few weeks. You may need a gradual reduction in dosage before you stop taking this medication.

Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking fludrocortisone in the case of an emergency.

Store fludrocortisone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking fludrocortisone and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• swelling of the feet or ankles;

• difficulty breathing;

• severe or continuing headache;

• dizziness or fainting;

• increased blood pressure (severe headache or blurred vision); or

• sudden weight gain (more than 5 pounds in a day or two).

Other side effects may occur rarely, usually with prolonged courses of fludrocortisone. Talk to your doctor if you experience

• nausea or stomach upset,

• fatigue,

• muscle weakness or joint pain,

• problems with diabetes control,

• increased hunger or thirst,

• thinning of your skin,

• cataracts,

• glaucoma,

• osteoporosis,

• round face, and

• changes in behavior.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Do not stop taking fludrocortisone suddenly if you have been taking it for a few weeks. You may need a gradual reduction in dosage before you stop taking this medication.

Fludrocortisone can be taken with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking fludrocortisone in the case of an emergency.

Contact your doctor if you develop dizziness, severe or continuing headaches, swelling of feet or lower legs, or unusual weight gain.

Avoid sources of infection. Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your mouth and eyes. Your immune system may be weakened while you are taking fludrocortisone. Notify your doctor if you are exposed to an infection such as chicken pox or measles.

Avoid immunizations during treatment with fludrocortisone unless your doctor approves.

Before taking fludrocortisone, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);

• birth control pills such as Ortho Novum, Ovral, Lo-Ovral, Triphasil, Levlen, Tri-Levlen, Alesse, Desogen, and others;

• an estrogen such as Premarin, Ogen, Estratest, Estraderm, Vivelle, Climara, Fempatch, and others;

• a diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), bumetanide (Bumex), or torsemide (Demadex);

• insulin or an oral diabetes medicine such as chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol) or glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase, Micronase);

• an anabolic steroid such as oxymetholone (Anadrol-50), nandrolone (Durabolin, others), and others;

• phenytoin (Dilantin) or ethotoin (Peganone);

• rifampin (Rifadin);

• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

• amphotericin B (Fungizone);

• warfarin (Coumadin); or

• aspirin.

You may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with fludrocortisone. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Seek emergency medical attention. A single large dose of this medication is unlikely to cause symptoms or death. Overdose symptoms are more likely to be caused by a chronic overdose—large doses taken over a period of time.

Symptoms of an overdose include swelling or water retention, high blood pressure (headache, blurred vision), weight gain, and low levels of potassium in the blood.