Fludrocortisone

A person who is already taking Fludrocortisone should avoid being near sick or have infections. Immediately consult with your doctor if you had come in contact with any person exposed to chickenpox or measles as this disease may be even life-threatening in persons taking Fludrocortisone. Do not take Fludrocortisone if you are allergic to any corticosteroids or any of the ingredients of Fludrocortisone. If you are pregnant, planning for pregnancy or breastfeeding, it is recommended usually not to take Fludrocortisone unless prescribed by the doctor. Long term use of Fludrocortisone in children's should be avoided, leading to slow growth. Do not abruptly stop taking Fludrocortisone as you might feel a headache or problem with vision, fever, pain in muscles, which are withdrawal symptoms of Fludrocortisone. Intake of alcohol should be limited as it may lead to stomach ulcers when taken along with Fludrocortisone. Inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney disease, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), migraine (severe headache), depression, epilepsy (frequent fits), blood cancer, tuberculosis (TB), high blood pressure, or heart problem. If you have had an accident, need to undergo a scheduled surgery, need a vaccination (especially a live vaccination), tell this to doctor that you are taking Fludrocortisone as it needs to be stopped in all of the above conditions. 

Drug-Drug interaction: This medicine may have an interaction with antibiotics (rifampicin, rifabutin, erythromycin, telithromycin, clarithromycin), anti-epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone, primidone), diuretics (amiloride, bumetanide, furosemide, spironolactone, triamterene), antacids (carbenoxolone), pain killer (aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen), used to treat asthma and other breathing problems (theophylline, bambuterol, fenoterol, formoterol, ritodrine, salbutamol, salmeterol, terbutaline), anti-HIV medicines (efavirenz, nevirapine, indinavir, saquinavir, ritonavir, cobicistat), used to treat fungal infections (amphotericin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole), anti-diabetic (metformin, chlorpropamide, tolbutamide, glipizide, glyburide), blood thinner (warfarin), oral contraceptives (containing estrogen and progestogen), anti-cancer medicines (aminoglutethimide, methotrexate), anti-glaucoma medicines (acetazolamide). 

Drug-Food interaction: Fludrocortisone interacts with St. John's wort (an antidepressant herbal supplement) and alcohol.

Drug-Disease interaction: Fludrocortisone should not be used in people with blood cancer, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), kidney or liver problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma (increased eye pressure), an underactive thyroid gland, herpes eye infection, peptic ulcer, tuberculosis (TB), osteoporosis (thinning of bones), depression, epilepsy (fits), migraines. 

• Eat a healthy and balanced diet, and make sure you sleep at least 8 hours a day for a speedy recovery.
• Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acid containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil.
• Try to fill half your food plate with fruits and veggies. Bananas and yoghurt taken with Fludrocortisone may help protect your gut lining.
• Opt for food and drinks high in Omega 3 fatty acid to get relief from pain, swelling, and inflammation. Omega 3 fatty acid-enriched foods include flaxseeds, walnut, soybean oil, salmon, and tuna fish if you prefer non-veg.
• Prefer more whole foods and grains instead of processed ones. Limiting starch may also help decrease inflammation.
• Avoid intake of processed foods, foods high in sugar and fat, as these may cause inflammation.
• Limit salt intake and prefer herbs or spices like garlic, ginger, and turmeric, a natural anti-inflammatory.
• Contact with any person who is having chickenpox, measles, tuberculosis should be avoided as it might cause you the same infection as Fludrocortisone makes your body prone to infections.
• Try to avoid alcohol as it can affect your stomach and intestine and limit the absorption of the important nutrients required by your body.

• A person with diabetes should have a test of glycated haemoglobin (HBA1C) to check your blood glucose level control, as Fludrocortisone increased the blood sugar level.
• Do not contact anyone who has shingles, chickenpox, or measles while taking Fludrocortisone. If you accidentally come in contact with any person having them, please inform your doctor immediately as it requires special treatment if you have not had these illnesses. 
• Regular checkup from your doctor, As long term use of Fludrocortisone may make your bones brittle.