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

• Do not stop taking Florinef suddenly if you have been taking it for a few weeks. You may need a gradual reduction in dosage before you stop taking this medication.
• Florinef can be taken with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
• Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking Florinef in the case of an emergency.
• Contact your doctor if you develop dizziness, severe or continuing headaches, swelling of feet or lower legs, or unusual weight gain.

What is Florinef?

• Florinef is in a class of drugs called steroids. Your body naturally produces steroids similar to Florinef.
• Florinef is used to treat conditions in which the body does not produce enough of its own steroids, such as Addison's disease, and salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome.
• Florinef may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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

• Do not take Florinef if you have a serious bacterial, viral, or fungal infection. Florinef weakens your body's immune response and thus its ability to fight infection.
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
  • high blood pressure or heart disease,
  • kidney disease,
  • liver disease,
  • hypothyroidism,
  • tuberculosis,
  • diabetes mellitus,
  • psychiatric conditions,
  • ulcerative colitis,
  • stomach ulcers,
  • myasthenia gravis,
  • osteoporosis, or
  • any other medical conditions.
• You may not be able to take Florinef, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Florinef is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Florinef will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• Florinef passes into breast milk. Do not take Florinef without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Florinef?

• Take Florinef exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Florinef can be taken with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
• Try to take your dose at the same time each day.
• Do not stop taking Florinef suddenly if you have been taking it for a few weeks. You may need a gradual reduction in dosage before you stop taking this medication.
• Carry some type of medical identification that will let others know you are taking Florinef in the case of an emergency.
• Store Florinef at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention. A single large dose of this medication is unlikely to cause symptoms or death. Overdose symptoms are more likely to be caused by a chronic overdose — large doses taken over a period of time.
• Symptoms of an overdose include swelling or water retention, high blood pressure (headache, blurred vision), weight gain, and low levels of potassium in the blood.

What should I avoid while taking Florinef?

• Avoid sources of infection. Wash your hands frequently and keep them away from your mouth and eyes. Your immune system may be weakened while you are taking Florinef. Notify your doctor if you are exposed to an infection such as chicken pox or measles.
• Avoid immunizations during treatment with Florinef unless your doctor approves.

What are the possible side effects of Florinef?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Florinef and seek emergency medical attention:
  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
  • swelling of the feet or ankles;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • severe or continuing headache;
  • dizziness or fainting;
  • increased blood pressure (severe headache or blurred vision); or
  • sudden weight gain (more than 5 pounds in a day or two).
• Other side effects may occur rarely, usually with prolonged courses of Florinef. Talk to your doctor if you experience
  • nausea or stomach upset,
  • fatigue,
  • muscle weakness or joint pain,
  • problems with diabetes control,
  • increased hunger or thirst,
  • thinning of your skin,
  • cataracts,
  • glaucoma,
  • osteoporosis,
  • round face, and
  • changes in behavior.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Florinef?

• Before taking Florinef, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
  • a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
  • birth control pills such as Ortho Novum, Ovral, Lo-Ovral, Triphasil, Levlen, Tri-Levlen, Alesse, Desogen, and others;
  • an estrogen such as Premarin, Ogen, Estratest, Estraderm, Vivelle, Climara, Fempatch, and others;
  • a diuretic (water pill) such as furosemide (Lasix), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), bumetanide (Bumex), or torsemide (Demadex);
  • insulin or an oral diabetes medicine such as chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol) or glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase, Micronase);
  • an anabolic steroid such as oxymetholone (Anadrol-50), nandrolone (Durabolin, others), and others;
  • phenytoin (Dilantin) or ethotoin (Peganone);
  • rifampin (Rifadin);
  • digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
  • amphotericin B (Fungizone);
  • warfarin (Coumadin); or
  • aspirin.
• You may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Florinef. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.