Brand name:

Luride

Why is Luride prescribed?

Luride is prescribed to strengthen children's teeth against decay during the period when the teeth are still developing.

Studies have shown that children who live where the drinking water contains a certain level of fluoride have fewer cavities than others. Fluoride helps prevent cavities in three ways: by increasing the teeth's resistance to dissolving on contact with acid, by strengthening teeth, and by slowing down the growth of mouth bacteria.

Luride may be given to children who live where the water fluoride level is 0.6 parts per million or less.

Most important fact about Luride

Before Luride is prescribed, it is important for the doctor to know the fluoride content of the water your child drinks every day. Your water company, or a private laboratory, can tell you the level of fluoride in your water.

How should you take Luride?

Give your child Luride exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It is preferable to give the tablet at bedtime after the child's teeth have been brushed. The youngster may chew and swallow the tablet or simply suck on it until it dissolves. The liquid form of this medicine is to be taken by mouth only. It may be dropped directly into the mouth or mixed with water or fruit juice. Always store Luride drops in the original plastic dropper bottle.

--If you miss a dose...

Give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not give 2 doses at once.

--Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Keep the liquid from freezing.

Luride side effects

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop, tell your doctor immediately. Only your doctor can determine whether it is safe for your child to continue taking Luride.

In rare cases, Luride may cause an allergic rash or some other unexpected effect.

Why should Luride not be prescribed?

Your child should not take Luride if he or she is sensitive to it or has had an allergic reaction to sodium fluoride in the past.

Your child should not take the 1-milligram strength of Luride if the drinking water in your area contains 0.3 parts per million of fluoride or more. He or she should not take the other forms of Luride if the water contains 0.6 parts per million of fluoride or more.

Special warnings about Luride

Do not give full-strength tablets (1 milligram) to children under the age of 6. Do not give the half-strength tablets (0.5 milligram) to children under 3, or to children under 6 when your drinking water fluoride content is 0.3 parts per million or more. Do not give the quarter-strength tablets (0.25 milligrams) to children under 6 months, or to children under 3 years when fluoride content is 0.3 parts per million or more.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Luride

Avoid giving your child Luride with dairy products. The calcium in dairy products may interact with the fluoride to create calcium fluoride, which the body cannot absorb well.

Recommended dosage for Luride

Since Luride is used to supplement water with low fluoride content, consult your physician to determine the proper amount based on the local water content. Also check with your doctor if you move to a new area, change to bottled water, or begin using a water-filtering device. Dosages are determined by both age and the fluoride content of the water.

INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Overdosage

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. Taking too much fluoride for a long period of time may cause discoloration of the teeth. Notify your doctor or dentist if you notice white, brown, or black spots on the teeth.

Swallowing large amounts of fluoride can cause burning in the mouth and a sore tongue, followed by diarrhea, nausea, salivation, stomach cramping and pain, and vomiting sometimes with blood.