Fludrocortisone
Fludrocortisone, a corticosteroid, is used to help control the amount
of sodium and fluids in your body. It is used to treat Addison's disease and syndromes
where excessive amounts of sodium are lost in the urine. It works by decreasing the amount
of sodium that is lost (excreted) in your urine.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should Fludrocortisone be used?
Fludrocortisone comes as a tablet to be taken by mouth. Your doctor
will prescribe a dosing schedule that is best for you. Follow the directions on your
prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do
not understand. Take fludrocortisone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it
or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking fludrocortisone without talking to your doctor.
Stopping the drug abruptly can cause loss of appetite, an upset stomach, vomiting,
drowsiness, confusion, headache, fever, joint and muscle pain, peeling skin, and weight
loss. If you take large doses for a long time, your doctor probably will decrease your
dose gradually to allow your body to adjust before stopping the drug completely. Watch for
these side effects if you are gradually decreasing your dose and after you stop taking the
tablets. If these problems occur, call your doctor immediately. You may need to increase
your dose temporarily or start taking the tablets again.
Fludrocortisone also is used to increase blood pressure.
Before taking fludrocortisone,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to fludrocortisone, aspirin,
tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you
are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin),
arthritis medications, aspirin, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin),
diuretics ('water pills'), estrogen (Premarin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), oral
contraceptives, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin (Rifadin), theophylline
(Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
- if you have a fungal infection (other than on your skin), do not take fludrocortisone
without talking to your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, intestinal, or heart
disease; diabetes; an underactive thyroid gland; high blood pressure; mental illness;
myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis; herpes eye infection; seizures; tuberculosis (TB); or
ulcers.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If
you become pregnant while taking fludrocortisone, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking fludrocortisone.
- if you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis
medication, limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages while taking this drug.
Fludrocortisone makes your stomach and intestines more susceptible to the irritating
effects of alcohol, aspirin, and certain arthritis medications. This effect increases your
risk of ulcers.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from fludrocortisone are not common, they can
occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- stomach irritation
- vomiting
- headache
- dizziness
- insomnia
- restlessness
- depression
- anxiety
- acne
- increased hair growth
- easy bruising
- irregular or absent menstrual periods
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
- skin rash
- swollen face, lower legs, or ankles
- vision problems
- cold or infection that lasts a long time
- muscle weakness
- black or tarry stool
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