Fluoride

What is it?
Fluoride is a mineral that is used as a supplement for stronger teeth and bones, to treat osteoporosis, dental cavities, and ringing in the ears caused by bone loss.

Other names for Fluoride include: Fluorine and Sodium Fluoride.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using:
Tell your doctor if you

• are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
• are breastfeeding
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage:
Talk with your caregiver about how much Fluoride you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Fluoride. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

To store this medicine:
Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Drug and Food Interactions:
Do not take Fluoride without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

• Molybdenum, it might increase the effect of Fluoride, requiring less Fluoride to be used (5)
• Dairy foods containing calcium should not be taken with Fluoride (8)

Warnings:

• Before taking Fluoride, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Fluoride supplementation is not recommended for children under 6 months of age (6)
• Do not use if the Fluoride content in your water is greater than 0.7 ppm (6)
• Long term use of 2.5 ppm or more in children can cause permanent mottling of teeth (1)
• Large amounts of Fluoride (8 ppm) over 35 years has caused skeletal changes such as osteoporosis, calcification of tendons, and development of bone spurs (1)

Side Effects:
Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Side Effects:
You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

• Weakness, loss of appetite (hunger), diarrhea, and upset stomach have been reported (1)
• Acne-like patches on the face (7)

References:
1. Marz RB: Medical Nutrition From Marz, 2nd ed. Omni-Press, Portland, Oregon; 1997.
2. Power GR, Gay JD: Sodium fluoride in the treatment of osteoporosis. Clin Invest Med 1986; 9(1):41-43.
3. Riggs BE et al: Effect of fluoride/calcium regimen on vertebral fracture occurrence in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Comparison with conventional therapy. N Enly J Med 1982; 306(8):446-50.
4. Riggs BL et al: Treatment of primary osteoporosis with fluoride and calcium: Clinical tolerance and fracture occurrence. JAMA 1980; 243:446.
5. Jenkins GN: Molybdenum. In: Curzon MEJ and Cutress TW (eds): Trace elements and Dental Disease. John Wright, Boston, MA; 1983:149-166.
6. Product Information: Luride(R), sodium fluoride. Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals, Canton, MA; 1995.
7. Saunders MA: Fluoride toothpastes: a cause of acne-like eruptions. Arch Dermatol 1975; 111:793.
8. Arnold P, Wermeille M, Chapny MC et al: Influence of food and antacid administration on fluoride bioavailability from enteric-coated sodium fluoride tablets. Bone 1990; 10: 401-407.