Fludrocortisone is used as a hormone replacement therapy in Addison's disease (a disorder of the adrenal glands) or in salt-losing androgenital syndrome (hormonal imbalance disorder associated with loss of salt in the urine).
This medicine may also be used for the management of orthostatic hypotension (fall in blood pressure when standing up from a sitting or lying down position).
Take Fludrocortisone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it with food or immediately after meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Fludrocortisone must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking it this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have an infection as this medicine might not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart disease
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- eye disease such as glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) or cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye)
- thyroid disease
- diabetes
- stomach disorder
- epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- tuberculosis
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
- osteoporosis (thinning of bones)
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child. If your child is taking Fludrocortisone, monitoring of height maybe needed.
Inform your doctor if you have been recently vaccinated. Do not receive any vaccinations without first asking your doctor.
Avoid people who have chickenpox or measles. Inform your doctor right away if you do come into contact with these people who have the said diseases.
For as long as you are taking this medicine, you may need to have regular tests for your blood pressure, glucose and electrolyte level to check your body’s response to the medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
Fludrocortisone may cause dizziness and some problems with your eyesight. If affected, do not take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
This medicine may cause any of the following side effects: headache, difficulty sleeping, swelling of legs or arms, indigestion, muscle weakness, tiredness, poor wound healing, increased sweating, and menstrual irregularities.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- having thoughts of self-harm
- hallucination (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- severe back pain and stomach pain
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines to treat fungal infections e.g. ketoconazole, amphotericin B
- medicines for diabetes
- medicines for high blood pressure or heart disease
- birth control pills e.g. oestrogen
- medicines to treat TB (lung infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin, isoniazid
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine
- medicines for pain and inflammation
- blood-thinning medicines
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Fludrocortisone.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
You may be advise to keep a low sodium diet. Ask your doctor about the foods you need to avoid.
Store in a refrigerator, between 2-8°, away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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