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Florinef Acetate, |fludrocortisone Fludrocortisone

fludrocortisone

Generic Name: fludrocortisone (flew droe KOR ti sone)
Brand Names: Florinef Acetate

What is fludrocortisone?

Fludrocortisone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Your body naturally produces steroids similar to fludrocortisone.

Fludrocortisone is used to treat conditions in which the body does not produce enough of its own steroids, such as Addison"s disease, and salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome.

Fludrocortisone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about fludrocortisone?

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fludrocortisone?

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.

How should I take fludrocortisone?

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.

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

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

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

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.

What should I avoid while taking fludrocortisone?

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.

Fludrocortisone side effects

• 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.

What other drugs will affect fludrocortisone?

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.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about fludrocortisone written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Fludrocortisone is available with a prescription under the brand name Florinef. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Florinef 0.1 mg -light pink, round, scored tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.