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Fludrocortisone

Fakta Disemak oleh Hello Doktor Medical Panel


Ditulis oleh Phuong Tran · Disemak pada 11/05/2020

Uses

What is Fludrocortisone used for?

Fludrocortisone is a man-made form of a natural substance (glucocorticoid) made by the body. It is used along with other medications (e.g., hydrocortisone) to treat low glucocorticoid levels caused by disease of the adrenal gland (e.g., Addison’s disease, adrenocortical insufficiency, salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome). Glucocorticoids are needed in many ways for the body to function well. They are important for salt and water balance and keeping blood pressure normal. They are also needed to break down carbohydrates in your diet.

How should I take Fludrocortisone?

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will adjust your dose to the one that is best for you. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

In order to get the most benefit from this medication, follow the dosing schedule carefully, and take this medication exactly as prescribed. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. If you are taking this medication on another schedule besides every day (e.g., only 3 days a week), it may help to mark your calendar with a reminder. Do not increase or decrease your dose, take this drug more often, or stop taking this medication without your doctor’s approval. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

How do I store Fludrocortisone?

Fludrocortisone is best stored at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store Fludrocortisone in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of Fludrocortisone that may have different storage needs. It is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.

You should not flush Fludrocortisone down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. It is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before using Fludrocortisone?

Before taking fludrocortisone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: fungal infection in your blood (e.g., candidiasis, valley fever).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, blood clots, brittle bones (osteoporosis), diabetes, eye problems (e.g., cataracts, glaucoma, infection of the eye), heart problems (e.g., congestive heart failure), high blood pressure, infections (e.g., herpes, tuberculosis), kidney disease, liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis), mental/mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, psychosis), low blood minerals (e.g., calcium, potassium), stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., diverticulitis, peptic ulcer disease, ulcerative colitis), seizures, thyroid problems.

Fludrocortisone makes your body hold on to salt (sodium) and get rid of other salts (e.g., calcium, potassium). Follow your doctor’s advice on how much salt, potassium, and calcium should be in your diet.

This medication may mask signs of infection or put you at greater risk of developing very serious infections. Report any injuries or signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat/fever/cough, pain while urinating, skin sores) that occur during treatment.

Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose.

Avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles infection while taking this medication unless you have previously had these infections (e.g., in childhood). If you are exposed to either of these infections and you have not previously had them, seek immediate medical attention.

Using corticosteroid medications for a long time can make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Therefore, before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used this medication within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. If you will be using this medication for a long time, carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use of this medication.

If you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medicine, limit alcoholic beverages while taking this medication to lower the risk of stomach/intestinal bleeding.

If you have diabetes, this drug may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and inform your doctor of the results. Your diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.

This medication may slow down a child’s growth if used for a long time. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details. See the doctor regularly so your child’s height and growth can be checked.

The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially water retention.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for an extended time may have low levels of corticosteroid hormone. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.

This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breast-feeding?

There are no adequate studies in women for determining risk when using this Fludrocortisone during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Please always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before taking Fludrocortisone. Fludrocortisone is pregnancy risk category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA pregnancy risk category reference below:

  • A=No risk,
  • B=No risk in some studies,
  • C=There may be some risk,
  • D=Positive evidence of risk,
  • X=Contraindicated,
  • N=Unknown

Side effects

What side effects can occur from Fludrocortisone?

Stomach upset, headache, and menstrual changes (e.g., delayed/irregular/absent periods) may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: change in skin appearance (e.g., color changes, thinning, fatty areas), easy bleeding/bruising, dizziness, slow wound healing, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat, skin sores), bone/joint/muscle pain, stomach/abdominal pain, puffy face, swelling of the hands/feet, severe tiredness, increased thirst/urination, unusual weight gain, muscle weakness.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: black stools, eye problems (e.g., pain, redness, vision changes), severe/continuous headaches, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, depression, mood swings), seizure, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about a side-effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

What drugs may interact with Fludrocortisone?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: aldesleukin, digoxin, drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, “blood thinners’ such as dabigatran/warfarin, NSAIDs such as aspirin/celecoxib/ibuprofen), hormones (e.g., androgens, birth control pills, estrogens), immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine), mifepristone, vaccines, drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove fludrocortisone from your body (e.g., rifamycins such as rifampin/rifabutin, certain anti-seizure medicines such as barbituates/phenytoin).

If your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue taking it unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Fludrocortisone may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.

Does food or alcohol interact with Fludrocortisone?

Fludrocortisone may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.

What health conditions may interact with Fludrocortisone?

Fludrocortisone may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have.

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using this Fludrocortisone.

What is the dose of Fludrocortisone for an adult?

Usual Adult Dose for Addison’s Disease

0.05 to 0.1 mg orally/24 hours (range 0.1 mg 3 times a week to 0.2 mg/day)

Usual Adult Dose for Adrenogenital Syndrome

0.1 to 0.2 mg orally/24 hours

Dose Adjustments

If transient hypertension develops, reduce dose to 0.05 mg/day.

Precautions

Addison’s Disease: Monitor closely for increase in blood pressure or weight, edema or cardiac enlargement.

Watch for infection, sodium retention and potassium loss – potassium supplementation may be needed.

Other Comments

Administration with cortisone (10 to 37.5 mg/day) or hydrocortisone (10 to 30 mg/day) is preferred.

What is the dose of Fludrocortisone for a child?

Usual Pediatric Dose for Addison’s Disease

Infant: 0.1 to 0.2 mg orally/24 hours.

Child: 0.05 to 0.1 mg orally/24 hours (range 0.1 mg 3 times a week to 0.2 mg/day)

How is Fludrocortisone available?

Fludrocortisone is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:

  • Oral tablet
  • Compounding powder

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Fludrocortisone, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Penafian

Hello Health Group tidak menawarkan nasihat perubatan, diagnosis atau rawatan.

Fakta Disemak oleh

Hello Doktor Medical Panel


Ditulis oleh Phuong Tran · Disemak pada 11/05/2020

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