Fludrocortisone

-FLUDROCORTISONE- Contraindications/Cautions

Allergy, severe HTN, HF, or cardiac disease, pregnancy/lactation, infection. High sodium intake = severe hypernatremia.

-FLUDROCORTISONE- Drug Interaction

Decreases effectiveness of salicylates, barbiturates, hydantoins, rifampin, and anticholinesterasis.

-FLUDROCORTISONE- Adverse Effects

Frontal and occipital HA's, arthralgia, weakness, increased blood volume, edema, HTN, HF, rash, anaphylaxis, hypokalemia.

-FLUDROCORTISONE- Therapeutic Actions/Indications

Increases sodium reabsorption in the renal tubules and increases potassium and hydrogen excretion, leading to water and sodium retention. Partial replacement therapy in cortical insufficiency conditions, treatment of salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome; off-label use: treatment of hypotension.

-FLUDROCORTISONE- Classification

Mineralocorticoid

-FLUDROCORTISONE- Pharmacokinetics

PO; metabolized in liver, excreted in urine. Gradual onset.

-FLUDROCORTISONE- Nursing Considerations

Use only in conjunction with appropriate glucocorticoids to maintain control of electrolyte balance, increase dose in times of stress to prevent adrenal insufficiency and to meet increased demands for corticosteroids under stress, monitor for hypokalemia, D/C if signs of overdose.