Florinef
Florinef, a corticosteroid, is used to help control the amount of
sodium and fluids in your body. It is used to treat Addison's disease and syndromes where
excessive amounts of sodium are lost in the urine. It works by decreasing the amount of
sodium that is lost (excreted) in your urine.
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your
doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should Florinef be used?
Florinef comes as a tablet to be taken by mouth. Your doctor will
prescribe a dosing schedule that is best for you. Follow the directions on your
prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do
not understand. Take Florinef exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take
it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking Florinef without talking to your doctor. Stopping
the drug abruptly can cause loss of appetite, an upset stomach, vomiting, drowsiness,
confusion, headache, fever, joint and muscle pain, peeling skin, and weight loss. If you
take large doses for a long time, your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually
to allow your body to adjust before stopping the drug completely. Watch for these side
effects if you are gradually decreasing your dose and after you stop taking the tablets.
If these problems occur, call your doctor immediately. You may need to increase your dose
temporarily or start taking the tablets again.
Florinef also is used to increase blood pressure.
Before taking Florinef,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Florinef, aspirin, tartrazine (a
yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you
are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin),
arthritis medications, aspirin, cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin),
diuretics ('water pills'), estrogen (Premarin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), oral
contraceptives, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin (Rifadin), theophylline
(Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
- if you have a fungal infection (other than on your skin), do not take Florinef without
talking to your doctor.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver, kidney, intestinal, or heart
disease; diabetes; an underactive thyroid gland; high blood pressure; mental illness;
myasthenia gravis; osteoporosis; herpes eye infection; seizures; tuberculosis (TB); or
ulcers.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If
you become pregnant while taking Florinef, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you
are taking Florinef.
- if you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis
medication, limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages while taking this drug. Florinef
makes your stomach and intestines more susceptible to the irritating effects of alcohol,
aspirin, and certain arthritis medications. This effect increases your risk of ulcers.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Although side effects from Florinef are not common, they can occur.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- stomach irritation
- vomiting
- headache
- dizziness
- insomnia
- restlessness
- depression
- anxiety
- acne
- increased hair growth
- easy bruising
- irregular or absent menstrual periods
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
- skin rash
- swollen face, lower legs, or ankles
- vision problems
- cold or infection that lasts a long time
- muscle weakness
- black or tarry stool
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