Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral that can be used for dental caries prevention, otosclerosis, and osteoporosis. Fluoride is added to public drinking water to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride is added to toothpaste and mouthwashes so it can be applied directly to the teeth to prevent tooth decay. Fluoride is also taken by mouth for treating weakened bones (osteoporosis) and for preventing bone loss in people with rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.

Fluoride is sometimes added to drinking water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guilds the optimal levels of fluoride in drinking water in order to prevent tooth decay, however, the decision whether or not to add fluoride to drinking water is made on a local basis.

Fluoride is available under the following different brand names: Luride, Karidium, Fluoritab, Pediaflor, and Sodium Fluoride.

Strength expressed as fluoride ion.

Adult and pediatric dosages

Tablet

• 0.25 mg
• 0.5 mg
• 1.0 mg

Oral liquid

• 0.125 mg/drop

Tablet, chewable

• 0.25 mg
• 0.5 mg
• 1 mg

Lozenge

• 1 mg

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Dental Caries Prevention

• Intake typically achieved from drinking tap water (community levels vary)
• Males adequate intake: 4 mg/day
• Females adequate intake: 3 mg/day
• Upper limit: 10 mg/day

Otosclerosis (off-label)

• 20-120 mg sodium fluoride/day divided three times daily orally, usually 20-40 mg/day

Osteoporosis (off-label)

• 30-100 mg sodium fluoride/day orally

Common side effects of Fluoride include:

• nausea
• rash
• vomiting
• discoloration of teeth

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Fluoride has no known severe interactions with other drugs.
• Fluoride has no known serious interactions with other drugs.
• Fluoride has no known moderate interactions with other drugs.
• Mild Interactions of Fluoride include:
  • molybdenum

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns or for more information about this medicine.

Warnings

• Higher doses are unsafe and can weaken bones and ligaments, and cause muscle weakness and nervous system problems. High doses of fluoride in children before their permanent teeth come through the gums can cause tooth discoloration
• Toothpaste and fluoride rinses should not be swallowed routinely, particularly in children. It's a good idea to make sure that children under six years of age use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste, just in case they swallow some
• This medication contains fluoride. Do not take Luride, Karidium, Fluoritab, Pediaflor, or Sodium Fluoride if you are allergic to fluoride or any ingredients contained in this drug
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to fluoride, tartrazine, components of the formulation
• Fluoride content in driving water greater than 0.7 ppm
• Low sodium or sodium-free diets
• 1 mg tablet in children under 3 years of age or when drinking water has over 0.3 ppm
• 1 mg/5 ml rinse in children under 6 years of age

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information provided

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Fluoride?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Fluoride?"

Cautions

• Higher doses are unsafe and can weaken bones and ligaments, and cause muscle weakness and nervous system problems. High doses of fluoride in children before their permanent teeth come through the gums can cause tooth discoloration.
• Toothpaste and fluoride rinses should not be swallowed routinely, particularly in children. It's a good idea to make sure that children under six years of age use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride-containing toothpaste, just in case they swallow some.

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Fluoride may be acceptable for use during pregnancy. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies are not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies were done and showed no risk
• Fluoride is safe during breastfeeding when used in doses below 10 mg per day or elemental fluoride; it is safe in quantities found in toothpastes, mouth rinses, and fluoride dental treatments