Sodium fluoride
- Drugs List
- Dosage
- Administration
- Contraindications
- Precautions and Warnings
- Pregnancy and Lactation
- Side Effects
- Monograph
Presentation
Tablets containing 1.1mg sodium fluoride (500 micrograms fluoride ion)
Tablets containing 2.2mg sodium fluoride (1mg fluoride ion)
Chewable tablets containing 1.1mg sodium fluoride (500 micrograms fluoride ion)
Chewable tablets containing 2.2mg sodium fluoride (1mg fluoride ion)
Drugs List
Dosage
Not all available brands are licensed for use in children under 3 years. Consult product information for details.
Dosage is expressed as fluoride ion.
Adults
Children
Over 6 years
1mg fluoride ion daily
3 to 6 years
500 micrograms fluoride ion daily
6 months to 3 years
250 micrograms fluoride ion daily
Under 6 months old
Not recommended
Water content between 300 and 700 micrograms fluoride ion / litre (0.3 to 0.7 parts per million)
Over 6 years
500 micrograms fluoride ion daily
3 to 6 years
250 micrograms fluoride ion daily
Under 3 years
Not recommended
Administration
For oral administration.
The tablets may be sucked or chewed or allowed to dissolve in the mouth (depending on the formulation).
The tablets should be administered at a different time of the day to tooth brushing. Only a smear of toothpaste should be used to brush the teeth.
Contraindications
Infants under 6 months
Sodium fluoride tablets should not be taken when the fluoride content of the water is greater than 700 micrograms / litre fluoride ion.
Do not give sodium fluoride tablets to children under the age of 3 years when the fluoride content of the water is 300 micrograms / litre fluoride ion or more.
Precautions and Warnings
Not all available brands are licensed for use in children under 3 years. Consult product information for details.
A doctor, dentist or pharmacist should be consulted before administration.
The stated dose should not be exceeded.
Some presentations contain lactose. Use with caution in lactose intolerance, galactosaemia or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome.
Some presentations contain sorbitol. Use with caution in hereditary fructose intolerance.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy
Not applicableLactation
Not applicable
Effects on Ability to Drive and Operate Machinery
Not applicable
Counselling
Do not exceed the stated dose.
It is desirable for supplements to be given at a different time of day from tooth brushing. Only a smear of toothpaste should be used to brush the teeth.
Side Effects
White flecks on teeth.
Yellowish-brown tooth discolouration of teeth may occur if recommended doses are exceeded.
Excessive dosage may cause nausea and dental fluorosis.
Overdosage
Treatment of acute poisoning involves gastric lavage with lime water or weak solution of another calcium salt to precipitate fluoride, maintenance of high urine output, slow iv injection of calcium gluconate 10% for tetany, and symptomatic and supportive measures. Aluminium hydroxide administered after gastric lavage may reduce fluoride absorption.
It is strongly recommended that the UK National Poisons Information Service be consulted on cases of suspected or actual overdose where there is doubt over the degree of risk or about appropriate management.
The following number will direct the caller to the relevant local centre (0844) 892 0111
Information may be obtained if you have access to ToxBase the primary clinical toxicology database of the National Poisons Information Service. This is available via password on the internet ( www.toxbase.org ) or if this is unavailable at the backup site ( www.toxbasebackup.org ).
Reference Sources
British National Formulary, 63rd Edition (2012) Pharmaceutical Press, London.
BNF for Children (2011-2012) Pharmaceutical Press, London.
Summary of Product Characteristics: Endekay Fluotabs 3-6 years. Manx Pharma Ltd. Revised January 2011
Summary of Product Characteristics: Endekay Fluotabs 6+ years. Manx Pharma Ltd. Revised January 2011
Summary of Product Characteristics: Fluoraday tablets 1.1mg. Dental Health Products Ltd. Revised September 2007
Summary of Product Characteristics: Fluoraday tablets 2.2mg. Dental Health Products Ltd. Revised September 2007
Summary of Product Characteristics: Fluorigard Tablet 0.5mg. Colgate-Palmolive UK Ltd Revised September 1999
Summary of Product Characteristics: Fluorigard Tablet 1mg. Colgate-Palmolive UK Ltd. Revised September 1999
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