Florinef Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Florinef Tablet contains fludrocortisone acetate, a corticosteroid classed as a mineralocorticoid. It is used together with other medicines to treat Addison's disease and salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome. Florinef works by helping the body retain water and salt. It should be used exactly as prescribed, with attention to dosing instructions and precautions.

What is Florinef Tablet

Florinef is a medicine containing fludrocortisone acetate, a type of corticosteroid. It is used along with other medicines to treat Addison's disease and a condition where the body loses too much salt in the urine.

Florinef Tablet uses

• Treats Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency), where the adrenal glands do not make enough of certain hormones, used together with other medicines
• Treats salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome, a condition that causes too much salt to be lost in the urine

Benefits of Florinef Tablet

• Helps replace hormones the adrenal glands are not making enough of
• Helps the kidneys hold onto fluid and salt in the body
• Replaces deficient mineralocorticoid activity
• Helps retain sodium
• Helps maintain circulating blood volume
• Helps prevent excessive potassium accumulation
• Supports blood-pressure control in adrenal insufficiency

How Florinef Tablet works

Florinef is a steroid medicine. Steroids occur naturally in the body and help control the balance of water and salt. Florinef works by boosting the body with steroid effects that help the body retain water and salt.

Florinef Tablet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usually taken once a day, but your doctor may tell you to take it every other day instead. It is taken continuously, and your doctor will tell you when to stop. Do not stop taking it or change your dose without talking to your doctor first; your doctor will tell you how to reduce the dose gradually when you no longer need it. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to your normal schedule. Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets (0.1 mg)

Side effects of Florinef Tablet

Common

• Fluid retention due to an abnormal amount of salt in the body
• Muscle weakness
• Thinning of skin
• Poor healing
• Stomach upsets
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Menstrual irregularities in women
• Eye problems
• Masking of infections
• Painful lumps or swelling under the skin
• Nausea
• Insomnia
• Spinning sensation (vertigo)
• Weight gain
• Fainting (syncope)
• Darkening of skin or nails
• Muscle cramps, spasms and pains
• Abnormal hair growth

Serious

• Adrenal suppression: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, fatigue, generally feeling unwell, headache
• Allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis: rash, hives, itching, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, chest pain or tightness
• Blood clots in the leg or arm: pain, redness, swelling, warmth
• Congestive heart failure: shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling in legs/ankles/feet, irregular heartbeat, cough or wheezing
• Cushing's Syndrome: round 'moon face', rapid weight gain, excess sweating, thinning skin, easy bruising, stretch marks, muscle weakness, slow-healing wounds
• Diabetes symptoms: frequent urination, thirst
• Edema: fluid retention, swelling of hands, legs or feet
• Eye problems: cataracts, glaucoma, central serous chorioretinopathy, bulging of the eye
• High blood pressure: headaches, feeling unwell, shortness of breath
• Infections: fever, chills, feeling unwell, sore throat, body aches, fatigue
• Mental health problems: depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, hallucinations, mood swings, personality changes, memory problems
• Muscle weakness or loss
• Osteonecrosis: persistent joint or limb pain or limited movement
• Osteoporosis: sudden bone pain or fracture, especially wrist, spine or hip
• Pancreatitis: upper abdominal pain, fever, rapid heartbeat, nausea, vomiting
• Seizures: convulsions or fits, with or without loss of consciousness
• Skin problems: unusual bruising
• Stomach ulcers: stomach pain, blood in stool or vomit
• Slowing of growth in children

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you have a current serious or uncontrolled infection, including systemic fungal infections.
• This medicine can make it harder for your body to respond to stress and illness, and can make you more likely to get infections or reactivate hidden infections.
• Avoid contact with people who have measles or chicken pox while taking this medicine; tell your doctor right away if you are exposed.
• Tell your doctor if you have or may have a tumor of the adrenal glands (pheochromocytoma), as rare but serious and sometimes fatal reactions have occurred in people taking corticosteroids with this condition.
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly or change your dose without talking to your doctor; your dose should be reduced gradually.
• Tell your doctor before having any surgery that you are taking this medicine.
• You should not be vaccinated with live or live-attenuated vaccines while taking this medicine, as it can reduce the vaccine's effectiveness.
• Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks before you use this medicine.
• Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, as the benefits and risks need to be considered.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before taking this medicine, as caution is needed.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, as this medicine may have a stronger effect and should be used carefully.
• How alcohol interacts with this medicine has not been studied.
• This medicine may cause dizziness, vision changes, or fatigue in some people. Do not drive or use machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Florinef should be stored in a refrigerator between 2-8°C
• Alternatively, and for a period of 3 months only, Florinef can also be stored in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. After this time, discard all Florinef tablets that have not been refrigerated
• Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it in the bathroom or near a sink, or in the car or on window sills
• Keep it where young children cannot reach it
• If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date

When to see a doctor

• Get urgent medical help if you think you have taken too much of this medicine, even if you feel fine.
• See your doctor immediately if you think you may have any kind of infection while taking this medicine.
• Stop taking the medicine and get immediate medical help for signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• Get immediate medical help for signs of a blood clot, such as pain, redness, swelling, or warmth in a leg or arm.
• Get immediate medical help for signs of heart failure, such as shortness of breath, swelling in the legs or feet, or irregular heartbeat.
• Get immediate medical help if you have mental health symptoms like feeling depressed, thinking about suicide, confusion, or hallucinations.
• Get immediate medical help for signs of a seizure or convulsion.
• Get immediate medical help for signs of a stomach ulcer, such as stomach pain, blood in your stool, or vomiting blood.
• Get immediate medical help for sudden bone pain, especially in the wrist, spine, or hip, which may be a sign of a broken bone from weakened bones.

Alternatives

• Hydrocortisone
• Cortisone acetate
• Prednisone