n.
A synthetic steroid used therapeutically to increase blood pressure by lowering the amount of salt the body excretes.
[Short for fluorohydrocortisone.]
fludrocortisone
Dictionary:
flu·dro·cor·ti·sone (flū'drō-kôr'tĭ-sōn', -zōn') 
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n.
A synthetic steroid used therapeutically to increase blood pressure by lowering the amount of salt the body excretes.
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| Drug Info: Fludrocortisone |
Brand names: Florinef®
Chemical formula:
Fludrocortisone Acetate Oral tablet
What is this medicine?
FLUDROCORTISONE is a corticosteroid. It is used to treat Addison's disease and to treat a salt losing condition called adrenogenital syndrome.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• Cushing's syndrome
• diabetes
• heart problems or disease
• high blood pressure
• infection like herpes, measles, tuberculosis, or chickenpox
• liver disease
• myasthenia gravis
• osteoporosis
• stomach, ulcer or intestine disease including colitis and diverticulitis
• thyroid problem
• an unusual or allergic reaction to fludrocortisone, corticosteroids, other medicines, lactose, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take it with food or milk to avoid stomach upset. If you are taking this medicine once a day, take it in the morning. Do not take more medicine than you are told to take. Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction. Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take. If your doctor wants you to stop the medicine, the dose may be slowly lowered over time to avoid any side effects.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose and remember within an hour, take it as soon as you can. If it is more than an hour since you missed a dose, skip that dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take double or extra doses.What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
• mifepristone, RU-486
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
• amphotericin B
• aspirin and aspirin-like drugs
• barbiturates like phenobarbital
• digoxin
• diuretics
• female hormones, like estrogens or progestins and birth control pills
• male hormones
• medicines for diabetes like insulin
• medicines that treat or prevent blood clots like warfarin
• phenytoin
• rifampin
• vaccines
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. If you are taking this medicine over a prolonged period, carry an identification card with your name and address, the type and dose of your medicine, and your doctor's name and address.
This medicine may increase your risk of getting an infection. Stay away from people who are sick. Tell your doctor or health care professional if you are around anyone with measles or chickenpox.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor or health care professional that you have taken this medicine within the last twelve months.
Ask your doctor or health care professional about your diet. You may need to lower the amount of salt you eat.
The medicine can increase your blood sugar. If you are a diabetic check with your doctor if you need help adjusting the dose of your diabetic medicine.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
• changes in vision
• mental depression, mood swings, mistaken feelings of self importance or of being mistreated
• sudden weight gain
• swelling of the feet or lower legs
• unusually weak or tired
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• dizziness
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea, vomiting
• trouble sleeping
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from excessive heat. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Last updated: 7/1/2002
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
| Veterinary Dictionary: fludrocortisone |
A synthetic adrenal corticoid with effects similar to those of hydrocortisone and desoxycorticosterone. Used as an acetate.
| Wikipedia: Fludrocortisone |
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Fludrocortisone
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| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
| 9-fluoro-11,17-dihydroxy-17- (2-hydroxyacetyl)- 10,13-dimethyl- 1,2,6,7,8,9,10,11,12, 13,14,15,16,17- tetradecahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-one | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| ATC code | H02 |
| PubChem | |
| DrugBank | |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C21H29FO5 |
| Mol. mass | 380.45 g/mol |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | ? |
| Protein binding | High |
| Metabolism | Hepatic |
| Half life | 3.5 hours |
| Excretion | ? |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
C |
| Legal status | |
| Routes | oral |
 (what is this?) (verify) |
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Fludrocortisone (also called 9α-Flouocortisol) is a synthetic corticosteroid with moderate glucocorticoid potency and much greater mineralocorticoid potency.
The brand name in the U.S. is Florinef.
Contents |
Uses
It has been used in the treatment of cerebral salt wasting.[1]
It is used primarily to replace the missing hormone aldosterone in various forms of adrenal insufficiency such as Addison's disease and the classic salt wasting (21-hydroxylase deficiency) form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
It is the first line of treatment for orthostatic intolerance as well.
It is also a confirmation test for diagnosing Conns Syndrome (Aldosterone producing-Adrenal adenoma), the fludrocortisone suppression test. Loading the patient with fludrocortisone would suppress serum aldosterone level in a normal patient, whereas the level will not be altered in a Conns patient.
Dosing
It is available in 0.1 mg tablets. Typical daily doses for mineralocorticoid replacement are between 0.05 mg - 0.2 mg. Renin plasma, sodium, and potassium is checked through blood tests in order to verify that the correct dosage is reached.
Chemical properties
Chemically, its structure is identical to cortisone except for the substitution of fluorine in place of one hydrogen. Fluorine is a good bioisostere for hydrogen because it is similar in size. The major difference is in its electronegativity.
Side Effects
- Sodium and water retention
- Swelling due to fluid retention (edema)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Headache
- Low blood potassium level (hypokalemia)
- Muscle weakness
- Fatigue
- Increased susceptibility to infection
- Impaired wound healing
- Increased sweating
- Increased hair growth (hirsutism)
- Thinning of skin and stretch marks
- Disturbances of the gut such as indigestion (dyspepsia), distention of the abdomen and ulceration (peptic ulcer)
- Decreased bone density and increased risk of fractures of the bones
- Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Raised blood sugar level
- Changes to the menstrual cycle
- Partial loss of vision due to opacity in the lens of the eye (cataracts)
- Raised pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
- Increased pressure in the skull (intracranial pressure)
References
- ^ Taplin CE, Cowell CT, Silink M, Ambler GR (December 2006). "Fludrocortisone therapy in cerebral salt wasting". Pediatrics 118 (6): e1904–8. doi:. PMID 17101713. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=17101713.
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Learn More
 | Corticosteroids: Recommended dosage |
| Corticosteroids: Precautions |
| Addison's Disease: Treatment |
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Copyrights:
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 | Dictionary. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Drug Info. Gold Standard. Copyright © 2008 by Gold Standard. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more |
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| Wikipedia. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Fludrocortisone". Read more |
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