What is Fludrocortisone?
Fludrocortisone, a steroid, helps to reduce inflammation within the body. The body cannot produce enough steroid hormones to treat certain conditions, including Addison’s disease and the salt-losing Adrenogenital Syndrome. This medication guide does not list all possible uses for fludrocortisone.
Side effects of Fludrocortisone
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, hives or swelling to your lips, face, tongue or throat. Seek medical assistance immediately!
Fludrocortisone can cause serious side-effects. If you experience:
- Rapid weight gain, swelling of lower legs or feet;
- Loss of muscle mass, muscle weakness
- Blurred vision, tunnel-vision, eye pain or seeing halos around lights.
- Bloody or tarry stool, coughing blood
- Unusual changes in mood or behaviour
- A seizure;
- Increased pressure in the skull--severe migraines, severe headaches, ringing ears, dizziness and nausea, vision issues, pain behind the eyes;
- Low sodium level - leg cramps, constipation; irregular heartbeats or fluttering of the chest; increased thirst or urination.
- Pancreatitis is characterized by severe pain that spreads to the back and upper abdomen, as well as nausea and vomiting.
- Increased adrenal gland hormones: weight gain on your face and shoulders; slow wound healing; skin discoloration; thinning of the skin. Increased body hair. Tiredness. Mood changes. Menstrual cycle changes. Sexual changes.
Fludrocortisone can cause a number of side effects.
- Increased blood pressure
- Stomach pain, bloating;
- Facial redness;
- Acne, sweating and increased sweating
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- The bumps or pits that you see under your skin are called scars.
- Stretch marks;
- Increased hair growth on the body.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
prednisone , Dexamethasone , Hydrocortisone , methylprednisolone , Medrol , Decadron , Medrol Dosepak
Warnings
Fludrocortisone should not be used if you are suffering from a fungus in any part of your body.
Before you take this drug
If you have an infection or are allergic to fludrocortisone, you should avoid using it. Fludrocortisone weakens your immune system and can make it easier to contract an infection, or worsen an infection that you have already contracted or recently acquired. Inform your doctor of any illnesses or infections you may have experienced in the last few weeks.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Tuberculosis or if someone in your family has it;
- A thyroid disorder
- Heart problems High blood pressure
- Diabetes;
- Glaucoma and cataracts are both eye diseases.
- Herpes infection in the eyes
- A stomach Ulcer
- Ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis;
- A colostomy or ileostomy;
- Cirrhosis and other liver diseases
- Kidney disease
- Mental illness or psychosis
- Osteoporosis;
- Myasthenia gravis.
Inform your doctor that you are expecting. Adrenal gland problems can occur in the newborn if you take fludrocortisone while pregnant. Tell any doctor who is caring for your pregnancy that you've taken fludrocortisone. Breastfeeding may not be possible while taking this medication. You should ask your doctor if there are any risks. Anyone younger than 18 is not allowed to use Fludrocortisone.
How to take Fludrocortisone?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow the directions. Sometimes, your doctor will change the dose. You must take the medication exactly as prescribed. You may require frequent medical tests. Tests can be used to determine whether fludrocortisone works, even if there are no symptoms. Your dose needs may change due to surgery, illness, stress or an acute asthma attack. You should not alter your medication schedule or dose without consulting your doctor. It can interfere with certain medical tests. Fludrocortisone can affect the results of certain medical tests. o not abruptly discontinue fludrocortisone; rather, follow the advice of your physician regarding dose reduction. Store items at room temperature away from moisture, heat and light to preserve quality and keep costs to a minimum. Wear or carry medical identification in case of an emergency to alert others that you are taking steroid medication.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for Addison's Disease -
Orally, 0.1 mg per day
Maintenance dose: Orally 0.1 mg 3 times per week up to 0.2 mg daily
Comments:
If transient hypertension develops as a result of the therapy, reduce the dose to 0.05mg per day
-Most often given in conjunction with cortisone or Hydrocortisone .
Use: As a partial replacement therapy in primary and secondary adrenocortical failure of Addison’s disease
Usual Adult Dose for Adrenogenital Syndrome:
Orally, 0.1-0.2 mg per day
Use: To treat salt-losing Adrenogenital Syndrome
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for Poison Help or seek immediate medical attention. Overdose symptoms include swelling, increased weight, shortness of breath, leg cramps and irregular heartbeats. Other symptoms are muscle weakness, severe headaches, fluttering chest, severe headaches or pounding ears or neck.
What should be avoided?
Avoid being around people who are sick. If you have been exposed to measles or chickenpox, call your doctor immediately for treatment. Fludrocortisone users are at risk of serious, or even fatal conditions. Avoid receiving a vaccine against smallpox when using fludrocortisone. Consult your doctor prior to receiving any other vaccinations while taking fludrocortisone.
Interaction with other drug
Notify your physician of all medications you are currently taking.Fludrocortisone can be affected by many drugs, including:
- Aspirin;
- A diuretic, or "water pill".
- Insulin or oral diabetes medication;
- Hormonal replacement therapy or birth control pills
- An anabolic steroid, such as oxandrolone or oxymetholone ;
- Barbiturates, such as butabarbital and phenobarbital;
- A blood thinner such as warfarin (or coumadin or jantoven);
- Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy, steroids and drugs to prevent transplant
This list is incomplete and other drugs can also interact with fludrocortisone. This includes over-the counter and prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal product. This list does not include all drug interaction.
