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About FLUDROCORTISONE

FLUDROCORTISONE belongs to a class of medications called 'Corticosteroids' prescribed for  Addison's disease. FLUDROCORTISONE is primarily used for treating salt-losing diseases.  FLUDROCORTISONE is a human-made form of glucocorticoid, a natural substance made by the body. Corticosteroids are naturally found in our body and intake of FLUDROCORTISONE boost our body with an extra corticosteroid to treat low glucocorticoid levels caused by the adrenal gland (Addison's disease). Addison's disease is a chronic disease that happens when the adrenal cortex is damaged and does not remain able to produce steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone. Both of these hormones are responsible for managing stress,  regulating sodium and potassium levels in the body. 

FLUDROCORTISONE consists of 'Fludrocortisone' that comes into the category of Glucocorticoids. It works by controlling the amount of sodium and fluids in the body. In Addison's disease, excessive amounts of sodium is lost in the urine, so FLUDROCORTISONE works by reducing the sodium which is lost in the urine.

Take FLUDROCORTISONE as prescribed by your doctor. You are suggested to take FLUDROCORTISONE as long as your doctor has prescribed it after checking your medical condition.  Most of the side effects of FLUDROCORTISONE do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. Common side effects include stomach upset, menstrual changes, mood changes, weight gain, oral thrush  (prone to fungal infection). However, if the side effects are persistent and worsen, reach out to your doctor. It is not advisable to suddenly stop this medicine to avoid unpleasant side effects and sudden withdrawal symptoms.

Inform your doctor if you have any muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), lung disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, or heart problem, blood cancer, migraine (severe headache), epilepsy (fits), tuberculosis (TB), depression. While taking FLUDROCORTISONE, do not contact anyone who has shingles, chickenpox, or measles. If you accidentally come in contact with any person having them, please inform your doctor immediately as it requires special treatment if you have not had these illnesses. If you have had an accident, please tell your doctor, need to undergo a scheduled surgery, are ill, need a vaccination (especially a live vaccination), as your doctor might discontinue FLUDROCORTISONE in these conditions. Please consult your doctor before taking FLUDROCORTISONE if you plan to get pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding as FLUDROCORTISONE is not recommended usually not to take FLUDROCORTISONE unless prescribed by the doctor. 

Uses of FLUDROCORTISONE

Addison's disease, Adrenogenital syndrome ( congenital adrenal hyperplasia)

Medicinal Benefits

FLUDROCORTISONE contains 'Fludrocortisone' usually prescribed as a short-term medication to treat and prevent salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome and Addison's Disease. Corticosteroids are naturally found in our body and intake of FLUDROCORTISONE, boost our body with an extra corticosteroid to replace the hormones that are normally produced by adrenal glands attached to the kidneys. FLUDROCORTISONE acts by reducing the amount of sodium that is lost in the urine. In this way, it helps the body to perform functions like retaining enough salt to function well.

Directions for Use

FLUDROCORTISONE can be taken with or without food. Swallow FLUDROCORTISONE as a whole with an ample amount of water, do not chew or break the tablet/capsule.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of FLUDROCORTISONE

  • Stomach upset
  • Mood changes
  • Weight gain
  • High blood pressure
  • Oral thrush (prone to fungal infection)
  • Thinning of skin
  • Altered blood sugar level

In-Depth Precautions and Warning

Drug Warnings

A person who is already taking FLUDROCORTISONE should avoid being near sick or have infections. Immediately consult with your doctor if you had come in contact with any person exposed to chickenpox or measles as this disease may be even life-threatening in persons taking FLUDROCORTISONE. Do not take FLUDROCORTISONE if you are allergic to any corticosteroids or any of the ingredients of FLUDROCORTISONE. If you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is recommended usually not to take FLUDROCORTISONE unless prescribed by the doctor. Long term use of FLUDROCORTISONE in children's should be avoided, leading to slow growth. Do not abruptly stop taking FLUDROCORTISONE as you might feel a headache or problem with vision, fever, pain in muscles, which are withdrawal symptoms of FLUDROCORTISONE. Intake of alcohol should be limited as it may lead to stomach ulcers when taken along with FLUDROCORTISONE. Inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney disease, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), migraine (severe headache), depression, epilepsy (frequent fits), blood cancer, tuberculosis (TB), high blood pressure, or heart problem. If you have had an accident, need to undergo a scheduled surgery, need a vaccination (especially a live vaccination), tell this to doctor that you are taking FLUDROCORTISONE as it needs to be stopped in all of the above conditions. 

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug interaction: This medicine may have an interaction with antibiotics (rifampicin, rifabutin, erythromycin, telithromycin, clarithromycin), anti-epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, primidone), diuretics (amiloride, bumetanide, furosemide, spironolactone, triamterene), antacids (carbenoxolone), pain killer (aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen), used to treat asthma and other breathing problems (theophylline, bambuterol, fenoterol, formoterol, ritodrine, salbutamol, salmeterol, terbutaline), anti-HIV medicines (efavirenz, nevirapine, indinavir, saquinavir, ritonavir, cobicistat), used to treat fungal infections (amphotericin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), anti-diabetic (metformin, chlorpropamide, tolbutamide, glipizide, glyburide), blood thinner (warfarin), oral contraceptives (containing estrogen and progestogen), anti-cancer medicines (aminoglutethimide, methotrexate), anti-glaucoma medicines (acetazolamide). 

Drug-Food interaction: FLUDROCORTISONE interacts with St. John's wort (an antidepressant herbal supplement) and alcohol.

Drug-Disease interaction: FLUDROCORTISONE should not be used in people with blood cancer, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), kidney or liver problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma (increased eye pressure), an underactive thyroid gland, herpes eye infection, peptic ulcer, tuberculosis (TB), osteoporosis (thinning of bones), depression, epilepsy (fits), migraines. 

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:

  • CLARITHROMYCIN
  • ERYTHROMYCIN
  • PHENOBARBITONE
  • CARBAMAZEPINE
  • AMILORIDE+HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
  • TELITHROMYCIN
  • RIFAMPICIN
  • PRIMIDONE
  • RIFABUTIN
  • ACETAZOLAMIDE
  • VORICONAZOLE
  • METFORMIN
  • THEOPHYLLINE
  • CARBENOXOLONE
  • FUROSEMIDE
  • KETOCONAZOLE
  • GLIMEPIRIDE
  • WARFARIN
  • PHENYTOIN
  • EFAVIRENZ
  • SALBUTAMOL
  • DICLOFENAC
  • ASPIRIN
  • INDINAVIR
  • Safety Advice

    • Safety Warning

      Alcohol

      caution

      Alcohol is not known to cause any unpleasant side effects if taken along with FLUDROCORTISONE. But intake of alcohol with FLUDROCORTISONE may damage your liver. So intake of FLUDROCORTISONE should be avoided with FLUDROCORTISONE.

    • Safety Warning

      Pregnancy

      unsafe

      FLUDROCORTISONE is a category C pregnancy drug, using FLUDROCORTISONE during pregnancy may adrenal gland problems in the baby. Please consult your doctor before taking FLUDROCORTISONE if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.

    • Safety Warning

      Breast Feeding

      caution

      FLUDROCORTISONE is known to pass through the breast milk. So, it is recommended not to be taken during breastfeeding. However, your doctor may prescribe it for you during breast-feeding if he/she feels that the benefit to you outweighs the risk. It would be best if you did not take FLUDROCORTISONE without a doctor's advice.

    • Safety Warning

      Driving

      caution

      FLUDROCORTISONE can affect alertness and coordination. So, operating machinery which requires concentration should be avoided. FLUDROCORTISONE does not make you sleepy, and so it's usually safe to drive a car. However, do not drive a car or operate machinery if your eyesight is affected.

    • Safety Warning

      Liver

      caution

      FLUDROCORTISONE to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.

    • Safety Warning

      Kidney

      caution

      FLUDROCORTISONE to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.

    • Safety Warning

      Children

      caution

      Children can take FLUDROCORTISONE for a short term treatment under child specialist supervision. Long term use of FLUDROCORTISONE in children's should be avoided as it may lead to slow growth. Consult your doctor for further advice.

    Habit Forming

    No

    Diet & Lifestyle Advise

    • Eat a healthy and balanced diet, and make sure you sleep at least 8 hours a day for a speedy recovery.
    • Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acid containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil.
    • Try to fill half your food plate with fruits and veggies. Bananas and yoghurt taken with FLUDROCORTISONE may help protect your gut lining.
    • Opt for food and drinks high in Omega 3 fatty acid to get relief from pain, swelling, and inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acid-enriched foods include flaxseeds, walnut, soybean oil, salmon, and tuna fish if you prefer non-veg.
    • Prefer more whole foods and grains instead of processed ones. Limiting starch may also help decrease inflammation.
    • Avoid intake of processed foods, foods high in sugar and fat, as these may cause inflammation.
    • Limit salt intake and prefer herbs or spices like garlic, ginger, and turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory.
    • Contact with any person who is having chickenpox, measles, tuberculosis should be avoided as it might cause you the same infection as FLUDROCORTISONE makes your body prone to infections.
    • Try to avoid alcohol as it can affect your stomach and intestine and limit the absorption of the important nutrients required by your body.

    Special Advise

    • A person with diabetes should have a test of glycated haemoglobin (HBA1C) to check your blood glucose level control, as FLUDROCORTISONE increased the blood sugar level.
    • Do not contact anyone who has shingles, chickenpox, or measles while taking FLUDROCORTISONE. If you accidentally come in contact with any person having them, please inform your doctor immediately as it requires special treatment if you have not had these illnesses. 
    • Regular checkup from your doctor, As long term use of FLUDROCORTISONE may make your bones brittle. 

    Patients Concern

    Disease/Condition Glossary

    Addison’s disease: This is a lifelong health condition that happens when the adrenal cortex gets damaged. The adrenal glands fail to produce enough of the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone. Adrenal glands are present on the upper side of the kidneys and help produce hormones required by the body for normal functioning.  Cortisol is responsible for controlling the body’s reaction to stressful times while Aldosterone helps regulate sodium and potassium. Persons dealing with Addison’s disease may face symptoms including muscle weakness, fatigue, and tiredness, darkening in skin colour, weight loss or decreased appetite, a decrease in heart rate or blood pressure, low blood sugar levels, fainting spells, sores in the mouth, cravings for salt, nausea, and vomiting. 

    Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH): It is a group of autosomal recessive disorders in which there is a deficiency of an enzyme responsible for synthesizing of cortisol, aldosterone or both. 

    FAQs

    How does FLUDROCORTISONE work?

    FLUDROCORTISONE belongs to a class of medication called 'corticosteroids' which reduces the amount of sodium that is lost in the urine. In this way, it helps the body to perform functions like retaining enough salt to function well.

    Before 7 days, I was having high fever?

    FLUDROCORTISONE may weaken the body's immune system, so it makes it easier o get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or recently had. Thus, tell your doctor if you have any illness or infection in the last few days.

    What should I try to avoid while taking FLUDROCORTISONE?

    A person who is already taking FLUDROCORTISONE should avoid being near sick or have infections. Immediately consult with your doctor if you had come in contact with any person exposed to chickenpox or measles as this disease may be even life-threatening in persons taking FLUDROCORTISONE.

    What should I do if I forget a dose?

    If you miss a dose of FLUDROCORTISONE, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it's almost time for the next dose, do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

    I am planning to get pregnant, can I take FLUDROCORTISONE?

    FLUDROCORTISONE is a category C pregnancy drug. So, it is not recommended in pregnancy as it might affect the unborn baby. Please consult your doctor before using FLUDROCORTISONE.

    Can I stop taking FLUDROCORTISONE if I feel better?

    Do not abruptly stop taking FLUDROCORTISONE as you might feel a headache or problem with vision, fever, pain in muscles, which are withdrawal symptoms of FLUDROCORTISONE. Consult your doctor, and your dose be lowered gradually to avoid any withdrawal symptoms.

    If it safe to use FLUDROCORTISONE in diabetes?

    If you have diabetes, FLUDROCORTISONE can increase your blood sugar level. If you are taking FLUDROCORTISONE and have diabetes, please monitor your blood sugar level regularly. If you pass urine frequently, please consult your doctor, and your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

    Available Medicines for

    FLUDROCORTISONE