FLUDROCORTISONE

The U.S. FDA approved Fludrocortisone for renal disorders on March 19, 2002. Fludrocortisone belongs to the medication class known as steroids or corticosteroids. It mimics the natural hormones produced by glands attached to the kidneys. 

Fludrocortisone treats used to replace hormones that your kidney's glands would normally produce. It's essential for managing Addison's disease (caused by damage to the adrenal glands), where your body can't produce these hormones. Additionally, it treats another hormone imbalance condition known as salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome.

Take the Fludrocortisone as your physician advises. This medication is intended for oral use. The score line is provided to assist in breaking the tablet if you find it challenging to swallow it whole. Do not take more or less of the medication than your doctor has instructed. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. 

The most common side effects of Fludrocortisone are heart failure symptoms, which may include shortness of breath with activity or after lying down for a while, high blood pressure; muscle weakness, pain, or wasting; and tendon rupture, particularly where muscles connect to bones. Serious side effects while taking Fludrocortisone are difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue, severe stomach or abdominal pain, skin rash, or any signs of an allergic reaction. Additionally, inform your healthcare provider if you notice any changes in mood, such as feeling depressed, having thoughts about suicide, experiencing extreme mood swings, or anxiety. Other potential side effects include sleep disturbances, difficulty in thinking and memory problems, hallucinations, unusual thoughts, changes in behavior, and feelings of isolation or loneliness.

Do not use Fludrocortisone if you are allergic to Fludrocortisone, thiazides, sulfonamides, or any of its ingredients. Do not use this medication if you have an untreated infection, peptic ulcer, active tuberculosis, or a mental illness that impairs your ability to think clearly and stay in touch with reality. Before using this medicine, talk to your doctor if you have or recently had any untreated bacterial, viral, or fungal infection or have a history of tuberculosis, intestinal, bowel disorder, or stomach ulcer. Report to your doctor if you have experienced thrombophlebitis (infection or inflammation of leg veins), mental disorders, epilepsy, thyroid issues, or recent cancer. 

Notify your doctor if you have or have had conditions with the kidney or liver, suffer from osteoporosis (thin or brittle bones) or muscle weakness conditions like myasthenia gravis if you have high blood pressure, heart failure, glaucoma, ocular herpes simplex, diabetes, or a family history of diabetes. Inform your doctor if you have a skin rash due to viral infection, muscle damage from steroid treatment, or if you are elderly (over 65 years old) or younger than 18 years old. Inform your doctor if you have sugar intolerance, as this product contains lactose monohydrate.

Before taking Fludrocortisone, inform your doctor if you've experienced stress (trauma, surgery, or severe illness), requiring supportive corticosteroid therapy during treatment. For a year afterward, you are about to have or have had intestinal surgery. Contact your doctor immediately if you encounter blurred vision or other visual disturbances. Check with your doctor first if you have a history of severe depression or manic-depression or if your family has a history of these illnesses. Steroid medicines can suppress your immune response, so consult your doctor if you encounter someone with an infectious disease (chickenpox, shingles, or measles). 

Regular blood tests and monitoring of salt intake may be required to prevent certain side effects. Do not stop Fludrocortisone until your doctor advises. Do not double-dose the medicine to make up for a forgotten dose. Notify your doctor if you experience any serious side effects. Your medical professional will inform you if you need any dose adjustments. Do not store above 30°C. Always check the expiry date before consuming it.

1. Mylan; Electronic medicines compendium (emc); [Revised on July 2022] [ Accessed on 26th July 2023], Patient Information Leaflet 0.1mg - UK - Clean (medicines.org.uk)
2. Drugs.com; [Revised on June 2022] [ Accessed on 26th July 2023], Fludrocortisone: Package Insert - Drugs.com
3. KD Tripathi, Hormone and related drugs, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology,7th edition, 2013,290.
4. Goodman & Gilman’s, Hormones and hormone antagonists, The Pharmacological Basics of Therapeutics, 12th edition, 2011, 1229.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.