Before taking Florinef (Florinef (Fludrocortisone)), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Florinef (Fludrocortisone) 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 Florinef (Fludrocortisone), 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, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Florinef (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.
Florinef (Fludrocortisone) 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 Florinef (Fludrocortisone) 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.
If you have been taking Florinef (Fludrocortisone) for a long time, your body may not produce enough natural steroids. You may need to start taking additional corticosteroids, especially if your body is stressed due to a major infection, surgery or injury. Deaths due to low steroid levels have sometimes occurred during such stresses. Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: unusual weakness, sudden weight loss, dizziness. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and tell them that you use (or have used) any type of corticosteroid. Carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your need for oral corticosteroids during times of stress. Consult your doctor or pharmacist now for specific advice about stress situations. You may need to carry a supply of corticosteroid tablets as a precaution.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using Florinef (Fludrocortisone) or have taken it within the last 12 months.
If you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medicine, limit alcoholic beverages while taking Florinef (Fludrocortisone) to lower the risk of stomach/intestinal bleeding.
If you have diabetes, Florinef (Fludrocortisone) 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.
Caution is advised when using Florinef (Fludrocortisone) in children because there is a slight risk that it may temporarily slow down a child's growth rate, but this will probably not affect final adult height. Though this effect is rare, monitor your child's height regularly.
The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of Florinef (Fludrocortisone), especially water retention.
During pregnancy, Florinef (Fludrocortisone) should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using Florinef (Fludrocortisone) for an extended time may have low levels of corticosteroid hormone. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn
Florinef (Fludrocortisone) passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet.
Take Florinef (Fludrocortisone) by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Your doctor will adjust your dose to the one that is best for you. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
In order to get the most benefit from Florinef (Fludrocortisone), follow the dosing schedule carefully, and take Florinef (Fludrocortisone) exactly as prescribed. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. If you are taking Florinef (Fludrocortisone) on another schedule besides every day (e.g., only 3 days a week), it may help to mark your calendar with a reminder. Do not increase or decrease your dose, take Florinef (Fludrocortisone) more often, or stop taking Florinef (Fludrocortisone) without your doctor's approval. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet.
Stomach upset, headache, and menstrual changes (e.g., delayed/irregular/absent periods) may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Florinef (Fludrocortisone) because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Florinef (Fludrocortisone) do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: change in skin appearance (e.g., color changes, thinning, fatty areas), easy bleeding/bruising, dizziness, slow wound healing, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat, skin sores), bone/joint/muscle pain, stomach/abdominal pain, puffy face, swelling of the hands/feet, severe tiredness, increased thirst/urination, unusual weight gain, muscle weakness.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: black stools, eye problems (e.g., pain, redness, vision changes), severe/continuous headaches, fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (e.g., agitation, depression, mood swings), seizure, vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
A very serious allergic reaction to Florinef (Fludrocortisone) is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet.
If you miss a dose of Florinef (Fludrocortisone), take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet.
Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Florinef (Fludrocortisone) should not be used with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: mifepristone.
If you are currently using the medication listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Florinef (Florinef (Fludrocortisone)).
Before using Florinef (Fludrocortisone), tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: aldesleukin, aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, indomethacin), blood thinners (e.g., warfarin), digoxin, drugs to treat diabetes (e.g., insulin, glyburide), hormones (e.g., androgens, birth control pills, estrogens), immunosuppressants (e.g., cyclosporine, natalizumab), vaccines, drugs that may cause potassium loss (e.g., amphotericin B, "water pills" such as furosemide or thiazides), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove Florinef (Florinef (Fludrocortisone)) from your body (e.g., rifamycins such as rifampin/rifabutin, certain anti-seizure medicines such as barbituates/phenytoin).
Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen) that may increase your risk for side effects if taken together with Florinef (Fludrocortisone). Low-dose aspirin should be continued if prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day). Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Florinef (Fludrocortisone) may interfere with certain laboratory tests, possibly causing false results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use Florinef (Fludrocortisone).
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is provided for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet.