Micromedex Detailed Drug Information for the Consumer [Internet]. Truven Health Analytics; 1974-2016.
Fludrocortisone (Oral route)
floo-droe-KOR-ti-soneBrand Name(s)
In the US: Florinef Acetate
Dosage forms
Tablet
Classifications
Therapeutic: Endocrine-Metabolic Agent; Pharmacologic: Adrenal Mineralocorticoid
Uses of This Medicine
Fludrocortisone is a corticosteroid (cortisone-like medicine). It belongs to the family of medicines called steroids. Your body naturally produces similar corticosteroids, which are necessary to maintain the balance of certain minerals and water for good health. If your body does not produce enough corticosteroids, your doctor may have prescribed this medicine to help make up the difference.
Fludrocortisone may also be used to treat other medical conditions as determined by your doctor.
Fludrocortisone is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, fludrocortisone is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension (a certain type of low blood pressure) Too much acid in the blood, caused by kidney diseaseBefore Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category Explanation All Trimesters C Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.Breast Feeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Interactions with Medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Rotavirus Vaccine, LiveUsing this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
BupropionUsing this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Balofloxacin Besifloxacin Ciprofloxacin Enoxacin Fleroxacin Flumequine Fosphenytoin Furosemide Gatifloxacin Gemifloxacin Levofloxacin Licorice Lomefloxacin Moxifloxacin Nadifloxacin Norfloxacin Ofloxacin Pazufloxacin Pefloxacin Phenytoin Prulifloxacin Rifampin Rifapentine Rufloxacin Saiboku-To Sparfloxacin TosufloxacinOther Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Bleeding problems—Using fludrocortisone and also using aspirin may cause bleeding problems to become worse. Bone disease—Fludrocortisone may make bone disease worse because it causes more calcium to pass into the urine Edema (swelling of feet or lower legs) or Heart disease or High blood pressure or Kidney disease—Fludrocortisone causes the body to retain (keep) more salt and water. These conditions may be made worse by this extra body water Herpes infection of the eye—may cause a hole in the cornea of the eye. Liver disease or Abdominal surgery (fresh) or Diseases of the intestines or Myasthenia gravis or Tuberculosis or Ulcers in the stomach or intestines—Fludrocortisone suppresses the immune system. Infections with these conditions may be made worse by this suppression. Thyroid disease—The body may not get fludrocortisone out of the bloodstream at the usual rate, which may increase the effect of fludrocortisone or cause more side effectsProper Use of This Medicine
Your doctor may want you to control the amount of sodium in your diet. When fludrocortisone is used to treat certain types of kidney diseases, too much sodium may cause high blood sodium, high blood pressure, and excess body water.
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor . Do not take more or less of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For oral dosage forms (tablets): Adults For adrenal gland deficiency: 50 to 200 micrograms a day. For adrenogenital syndrome: 100 to 200 micrograms a day. Children: For adrenal gland deficiency: 50 to 100 micrograms a day.Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine does not cause unwanted effects.
If you will be using this medicine for a long time, your doctor may want you to carry a medical identification card stating that you are using this medicine.
While you are taking fludrocortisone, be careful to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common or rare
Abdominal pain agitation or combativeness anxiety back or rib pain blindness bloating bloody or black, sticky stools blurred vision burning in stomach changes in skin color chest pain or tightness chills confusion constipation convulsions cough coughing up blood darkened urine decrease in height decreased range of motion decreased urine output decreased vision depression difficulty swallowing dry mouth expressed fear of impending death eye pain eyeballs bulge out of eye sockets fainting or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position fast or slow heartbeat fever flushed dry skin fractures in arms or legs without any injury fractures in the neck or back fruit-like breath odor hallucinations headache heartburn hives increased fat deposits on face, neck, and trunk increased hunger increased thirst increased urination indigestion irregular breathing or shortness of breath irregular heartbeat joint pain lack or slowing of normal growth in children walking with a limp loss of appetite loss of consciousness muscle cramps or pain nausea or vomiting nervousness pain, tenderness, or swelling of foot or leg pains in stomach or side, possibly radiating to the back patients taking oral medicines or insulin for diabetes may need to increase the amount they take pounding in the ears problems with wound healing redness and itching of skin redness of eyes redness of face severe or continuing dizziness severe weakness of arms and legs skin rash sweating swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs swelling of nasal passages, face, or eyelids swollen neck veins tearing of eyes unexplained weight loss unusual tiredness or weakness vision changes weight gain wheezing yellow eyes or skinSome side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common or rare
Acne, pimples bruising, large, flat, blue or purplish patches in the skin change in color of skin or nails increased sweating loss of muscle mass menstrual changes muscle weakness reddish purple lines on arms, face, legs, trunk, or groin sleeplessness, trouble sleeping, unable to sleep small, red, or purple spots on skin swelling of abdominal or stomach area, full or bloated feeling or pressure in the stomach thin, fragile skin unusual increase in hair growthOther side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.