Before taking fludrocortisone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: fungal infection in your blood (e.g., candidiasis, valley fever).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, blood clots, brittle bones (osteoporosis), diabetes, eye problems (e.g., cataracts, glaucoma, infection of the eye), heart problems (e.g., congestive heart failure), high blood pressure, infections (e.g., herpes, tuberculosis), kidney disease, liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis), mental/mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, psychosis), low blood minerals (e.g., calcium, potassium), stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., diverticulitis, peptic ulcer disease, ulcerative colitis), seizures, thyroid problems.
Fludrocortisone makes your body hold on to salt (sodium) and get rid of other salts (e.g., calcium, potassium). Follow your doctor's advice on how much salt, potassium, and calcium should be in your diet.
This medication may mask signs of infection or put you at greater risk of developing very serious infections. Report any injuries or signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat/fever/cough, pain while urinating, skin sores) that occur during treatment.
Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose.
Avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles infection while taking this medication unless you have previously had these infections (e.g., in childhood). If you are exposed to either of these infections and you have not previously had them, seek immediate medical attention.
Using corticosteroid medications for a long time can make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Therefore, before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used this medication within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. If you will be using this medication for a long time, carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use of this medication.
If you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medicine, limit alcoholic beverages while taking this medication to lower the risk of stomach/intestinal bleeding.
If you have diabetes, this drug may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and inform your doctor of the results. Your diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.
This medication may slow down a child's growth if used for a long time. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details. See the doctor regularly so your child's height and growth can be checked.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially water retention, bone loss/pain, stomach/intestinal bleeding, and mental/mood changes (such as confusion).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for an extended time may have low levels of corticosteroid hormone. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.
This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.