fluoride

What is the most important information I should know about fluoride?

Carefully follow all dosing instructions when giving this medicine to a child.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a substance that strengthens tooth enamel, which helps prevent dental cavities.

Fluoride is used to prevent tooth decay in people whose drinking water contains low levels of fluoride (less than 0.6 parts per million).

Fluoride may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fluoride?

To determine the amount of fluoride in your water supply, you may contact your local water company. You may also get information about water fluoride content throughout the United States from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Tell your dentist or doctor if:

• you have ever had sores or ulcers in your mouth; or
• you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I take fluoride?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Fluoride doses are based on your age and on the fluoride content in your water supply. In general, you do not need to take this medicine if the amount of fluoride in your water is greater than 0.6 ppm.

Carefully follow all dosing instructions when giving this medicine to a child.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Fluoride liquid (drops) can be taken undiluted, or mixed with liquid or food. Drink or eat this mixture right away. Do not save it for later use.

The chewable tablet may be chewed or dissolved in your mouth before you swallow it. It is best to take this medicine at bedtime after brushing your teeth.

Do not rinse your mouth, and do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after taking fluoride.

Take fluoride regularly to get the most benefit.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include sudden burning in your mouth, tongue pain, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, drooling, or vomiting blood.

What should I avoid while taking fluoride?

Ask your doctor before using an antacid or laxative, and use only the type your doctor recommends. The ingredient in some antacids or laxatives can make it harder for your body to absorb fluoride.

What are the possible side effects of fluoride?

• very upset stomach;
• nausea and vomiting; or
• staining, pitting, or any other changes in the appearance of your teeth.

Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect fluoride?

Some medicines can make fluoride much less effective when taken at the same time. If you take any of the following medicines, take your fluoride dose 1 hour before you take the other medicine:

• an antacid;
• a laxative; or
• a multivitamin or mineral supplement that contains calcium, aluminum, or magnesium.

Other drugs may affect fluoride, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about fluoride.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 4/1/2019.