Florinef Acetate

Florinef Acetate is a steroid that helps lower inflammation in the body.

Florinef Acetate is used to treat conditions where the body does not make enough of its own steroids, such as Addison's disease and salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome.

Florinef Acetate may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may sometimes change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may need regular medical tests. Even if you do not have symptoms, tests can help your doctor check if Florinef Acetate is working.

Your dose may change because of surgery, illness, stress, or a recent asthma attack. Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.

This medicine can affect the results of some medical tests. Inform any doctor treating you that you are using Florinef Acetate.

You should not stop using Florinef Acetate suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about gradually reducing your dose.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you use steroid medication.

You should not use Florinef Acetate if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

You should not use Florinef Acetate if you are allergic to it, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Florinef Acetate can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have or have recently had. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you have had within the past several weeks.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• tuberculosis (or if anyone in your household has tuberculosis);
• a thyroid disorder;
• heart problems, high blood pressure;
• diabetes;
• glaucoma or cataracts;
• herpes infection of the eyes;
• a stomach ulcer;
• ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis;
• a colostomy or ileostomy;
• cirrhosis or other liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• mental illness or psychosis;
• osteoporosis; or
• myasthenia gravis.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Taking Florinef Acetate during pregnancy may cause adrenal gland problems in the baby. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you have taken this medicine during pregnancy.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Florinef Acetate is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Florinef Acetate may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• swelling of feet or lower legs, rapid weight gain;
• muscle weakness, loss of muscle mass;
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;
• unusual changes in mood or behavior;
• a seizure;
• increased pressure inside the skull--severe headaches, ringing in your ears, dizziness, nausea, vision problems, pain behind your eyes;
• low potassium level--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling;
• pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting; or
• increased adrenal gland hormones--weight gain in your face and shoulders, slow wound healing, skin discoloration, thinning skin, increased body hair, tiredness, mood changes, menstrual changes, sexual changes.

Common side effects of Florinef Acetate may include:

• increased blood pressure;
• stomach pain, bloating;
• facial redness;
• acne, increased sweating;
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• pitting, scars, or bumps under your skin;
• stretch marks; or
• increased hair growth of body hair.

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.

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an overdose may include swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, leg cramps, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, muscle weakness, severe headache, or pounding in your neck or ears.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These illnesses can be serious or even fatal for people taking Florinef Acetate.

Do not get a smallpox vaccine while using Florinef Acetate. Ask your doctor before receiving any other vaccines while you are taking Florinef Acetate.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking. Many drugs can affect Florinef Acetate, especially:

• aspirin;
• a diuretic or "water pill";
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
• birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy;
• an anabolic steroid (such as oxandrolone or oxymetholone);
• barbiturates (such as butabarbital, phenobarbital, or secobarbital);
• a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven); or
• drugs that weaken the immune system such as cancer medicine, steroids, and medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection.

This list is not complete, and many other drugs may also affect Florinef Acetate. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.