How does it work?

Fludrocortisone is a type of medicine known as a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are hormones produced naturally by the adrenal glands, which have many important functions on every organ system. Corticosteroids affect the strength of heart muscle and its response to natural chemicals affecting heart rate. They affect the water and salt balance in the body and also enable the body to cope with stress. Stress includes changes in temperature, pain, fear, anxiety and illness and can be hazardous if the body is not equipped to cope, due to low levels of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids allow us to respond to stress by increasing the rate and force of the heartbeat, increasing blood supply to essential tissues (muscle, heart, brain), increasing the body's supply of energy by raising blood sugar and by several other effects on body systems. Fludrocortisone is used as replacement therapy in people whose adrenal glands are not producing enough natural corticosteroids (adrenal insufficiency). This can be due to disease (Addison's disease), surgical removal of the adrenal gland(s) or damage to the adrenal glands. Low blood levels of corticosteroids must be treated with replacement therapy to allow the body to function normally.

What is it used for?

Genetic hormonal disorder resulting from abnormal steroid production by the adrenal gland (adreno-genital syndrome) associated with loss of salts

Inadequate production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands

Warning!

It is recommended that salt (electrolyte) levels in the blood should be monitored while taking this medicine.

This medicine should be taken in the morning to mimic the natural production of corticosteroids by the body. It should be taken after food.

A steroid card will be supplied with this medicine. This contains details of the prescriber, type of steroid and dose taken and the duration of treatment. It should be carried at all times.

If this medicine is taken long term, any additional illness, trauma or surgery may require a temporary increase in the dose.

If individuals have not had chickenpox, they should avoid close personal contact with people with chickenpox or shingles (herpes zoster). If exposed, seek urgent medical attention as these diseases can be life-threatening in people whose immune system is suppressed.

This medicine should not be stopped abruptly but tapered down, especially when taken for longer than 3 weeks. The natural production of corticosteroids by the adrenal glands is suppressed by this medicine and the body therefore becomes reliant on it.

This medicine may increase susceptibility to infections and also mask the symptoms of these infections.

Use with caution in

A type of cancer that has spread from its original site to somewhere else in the body (metastatic carcinoma)

Abnormal muscle weakness

Bowel movement disturbances caused by small sacs or pouches in the wall of the gut (diverticular disease)

Brittle bones (osteoporosis)

Congestive heart failure

Current or previous peptic ulcer

Diabetes

Dormant (currently inactive) tuberculosis infection

Elderly people

High blood pressure

History of inflammation of the veins associated with blood clots (thrombophlebitis)

History of or current mental disorder

Hypothyroidism

Increased pressure in the eye (glaucoma) or family history of the condition

Infection

Kidney disease

Liver failure

Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)

Previous epilepsy caused by steroids

Previous muscle disease (myopathy) caused by steroids

Prolonged use in children

Recent surgical procedure involving the joining together of ends of the intestine after a section has been removed (intestinal anastomosis)

Not to be used in

Untreated infection

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

The safety of this medicine during breastfeeding has not been established. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

Follow the printed instructions you have been given with this medication.

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