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Entire Monograph
Adult Dosing
Dosage forms: 0.1
adrenal insufficiency
[0.1-0.2 mg PO qd]
Alt: 0.1 mg PO 3x/wk
*hypotension, orthostatic
[0.1-0.2 mg PO qd]
Start: 0.1 mg PO qd, then incr. 0.1 mg/day qwk until trace pedal edema; Max: 1 mg/day; Info: doses >0.5 mg/day
rarely more effective
renal dosing
[not defined]
renal impairment: caution advised
hepatic dosing
[not defined]
cirrhosis: caution advised
Peds Dosing
Dosage forms: 0.1
adrenal insufficiency
[0.05-0.1 mg PO qd]
Info: give w/ food or milk
renal dosing
[not defined]
renal impairment: caution advised
hepatic dosing
[not defined]
cirrhosis: caution advised
Contraindications/Cautions
hypersens. to drug/class/compon.
systemic fungal infxn
caution if CHF
caution if seizure disorder
caution if diabetes mellitus
caution if HTN
caution if TB infxn
caution if osteoporosis
caution if renal impairment
caution if hepatic impairment
others
Drug Interactions
Monitor/Modify Tx
midodrine
monitor BP: combo may incr. risk of supine HTN (additive effects)
Caution Advised
desmopressin
caution advised: combo may potentiate antidiuretic response (additive effects)
[desmopressin: desmopressin, desmopressin nasal]
vasopressin
caution advised: combo may potentiate antidiuretic response (additive effects)
Adverse Reactions
Serious Reactions
adrenal insufficiency
steroid psychosis
immunosuppression (long-term use)
peptic ulcer
CHF
anaphylaxis
osteoporosis (long-term use)
pseudotumor cerebri (peds)
pancreatitis (peds)
others
Common Reactions
nausea
vomiting
dyspepsia
appetite change
edema
headache
dizziness
mood swings
insomnia
anxiety
hypokalemia
HTN
hyperglycemia
Cushing syndrome (long-term use)
menstrual irregularities
ecchymosis
acne
skin atrophy (long-term use)
impaired wound healing (long-term use)
others
Safety/Monitoring
Pregnancy: C (Animal studies show adverse fetal effect(s) but no controlled human studies OR no animal or
human studies; weigh possible fetal risk vs. maternal benefit; see pkg insert for drug-specific recs)
Lactation: Safety Unknown (Inadequate literature available to assess risk; caution advised)
Monitoring Parameters
electrolytes; BP; weight; 2h postprandial glucose, height (peds), chest x-ray if prolonged tx; ophthal. exams if tx
>6wk; BMD if prolonged tx or >65 yo; consider upper GI x-ray if PUD hx or signif. dyspepsia
Look/Sound-Alike Drug Names
[from www.usp.org]
Pharmacology
Metabolism: liver, kidney; CYP450: unknown
Excretion: urine; Half-life: >3.5h (plasma), 18-36h (biological)
Subclass: Corticosteroids, Systemic
Mechanism of Action
exact mechanism of anti-inflammatory action unknown; inhibits multiple inflammatory cytokines; produces
multiple glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid effects
Manufacturer/Pricing
Manufacturer: generic
DEA/FDA: Rx: (Requires prescription; not a controlled substance)
Patient Education
Generic Name: fludrocortisone
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to fludrocortisone, or if you have a fungal infection
anywhere in your body.
Before taking fludrocortisone, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, and about all other medicines
you are using. There are many other diseases that can be affected by steroid use, and many other medicines that
can interact with steroids.
Your steroid medication needs may change if you have any unusual stress such as a serious illness, fever or
infection, or if you have surgery or a medical emergency. Tell your doctor about any such situation that affects
you during treatment.
Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an
infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had
within the past several weeks.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are
exposed to chicken pox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using steroid
medication.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while you are taking fludrocortisone. Vaccines may not work as well while you are
taking a steroid.
Do not stop using fludrocortisone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to
your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid, in case of
emergency.
What is fludrocortisone?
Fludrocortisone is in a class of drugs called steroids. Fludrocortisone prevents the release of substances in the body
that cause inflammation.
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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to fludrocortisone, or if you have a fungal infection
anywhere in your body.
Steroid medication can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection. Steroids can also
worsen an infection you already have, or reactivate an infection you recently had. Before taking this medication,
tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.
Other medical conditions you should tell your doctor about before taking fludrocortisone include:
liver disease (such as cirrhosis);
kidney disease;
a thyroid disorder;
diabetes;
a history of malaria;
tuberculosis;
osteoporosis;
a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
glaucoma or cataracts;
herpes infection of the eyes;
stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis;
depression or mental illness;
congestive heart failure; or
high blood pressure
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
fludrocortisone.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Fludrocortisone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without
telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not stop using fludrocortisone suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Talk to
your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking a steroid, in case of
emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are
taking steroid medication.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, confusion, uneven heart rate,
increased thirst or urination, leg discomfort, and muscle pain or weakness.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty
breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
problems with your vision;
swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure (convulsions);
bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;
pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate);
low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness
or limp feeling); or
dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest
pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome
side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with fludrocortisone. Tell your doctor about
all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products,
and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
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
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reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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