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Fludrocortisone (for Addison's Disease)

Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Fludrocortisone is a corticosteroid and is used to replace the steroid hormone that your body lacks. Corticosteroids are medications which act in the same way as steroid hormones and are used to replace the body’s own production when the adrenal glands (that produces steroid hormones) are not working normally.

Fludrocortisone is used to treat Addison’s disease, which is a long-term condition where your body does not make enough steroid hormones.

How should I take or use this medication?

Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
Take this medication with or after food to prevent stomach upset.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Before starting on this medication, inform your doctor if you:

Are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
Have plans to become pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding
Have tuberculosis (a type of lung infection) or other infections
Have stomach ulcer
Have severe depression (feeling extremely sad, having low mood), mood swings or are unable to sleep
Have epilepsy (fits)
Have diabetes
Have water retention issues
Have high blood pressure
Have kidney, liver, thyroid, or heart problems
Have osteoporosis, a condition where you have brittle or weak bones
Have any form of cancer
Have glaucoma, a type of eye condition linked to increased pressure in the eye
Are going to undergo any kind of surgery, have skin tests, or have a serious infection or injury

If you come into contact with anyone who has an infectious disease such as chickenpox, shingles or measles, please see your doctor as soon as possible. Fludrocortisone decreases your body’s natural immune response and you may be at higher risk of getting these diseases.

Talk to your doctor before getting any vaccinations.

What are some common side effects of this medication?

Some side effects may include:

Water retention, increase in weight
Changes in your body’s salt level
Increase in blood pressure
Muscle weakness or feeling tired (if you have been using the medication for a long period of time)
Stomach discomfort
Headache
Getting bruised more easily

Please inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects.

Please see your doctor if you notice changes in your mood, such as having low mood or depression, moodswing (frequently changing emotions) or feeling anxious while you are taking this medication.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Other rare but serious side effects that may occur include:

Signs of infection like fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, or wounds that will not heal
Signs of high blood sugar, like feeling confused, feeling tired, feeling thirsty more easily, feeling hungry more easily, passing urine more often, flushing or fast breathing
Severe abdominal or stomach pains
Swelling, warmth, numbness, change of skin colour, or pain in a leg or arm
Change in eyesight or vision
Bone pain or fractures
Unusual bruising or bleeding, including black tarry or bloody stools or vomiting

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Please inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications, before you start taking fludrocortisone:

Aspirin
Certain medications for pain such as Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Naproxen
Oral medications to treat fungal infection
Medications to thin your blood such as Warfarin
Oral hormone pills
Medications used to reduce the activity of your body’s immune system such as Cyclosporin or Tacrolimus

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medications, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.

How should I store this medication?

Keep this medication in the original container or packaging, tightly closed or sealed in the refrigerator, between 2 to 8°C, away from direct sunlight.

The tablets can be left at room temperature (25°C) for up to 30 days. If you have left this medication at room temperature for more than 30 days, you should throw the medication away.

Keep the medication out of reach of children.

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on Nov 2022

This article was last reviewed on Thursday, June 22, 2023