Florinef Acetate is indicated as partial replacement therapy for primary and secondary adrenocortical insufficiency in Addison's disease and for the treatment of salt-losing adrenogenital syndrome.

Off label uses of Florinef include chronic fatigue syndrome and orthostatic hypotension.

Before taking Florinef or fludrocortisone, it is advisable to inform your physician regarding any allergies one has to it or any other allergies.

Florinef should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: fungal infection in your blood (e.g., candidiasis, valley fever).

Before using Flornief, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding problems, blood clots, brittle bones (osteoporosis), diabetes, eye problems (e.g., cataracts, glaucoma, infection of the eye), heart problems (e.g., congestive heart failure), high blood pressure, infections (e.g., herpes, tuberculosis), kidney disease, liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis), mental/mood disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression, psychosis), low blood minerals (e.g., calcium, potassium), stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., diverticulitis, peptic ulcer disease, ulcerative colitis), seizures, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

Florinef or fludrocortisone makes your body hold on to salt (sodium) and get rid of other salts (e.g., calcium, potassium). Follow your doctor's advice on how much salt, potassium, and calcium should be in your diet.

Florinef may mask signs of infection or put you at greater risk of developing very serious infections. Report any injuries or signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat/fever/cough, pain while urinating, skin sores) that occur during treatment.

Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor, and avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine or flu vaccine inhaled through the nose.

Avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles infection while taking this medication unless you have previously had these infections (e.g., in childhood). If you are exposed to either of these infections and you have not previously had them, seek immediate medical attention.

If you have been taking Florinef for a long time, your body may not produce enough natural steroids. You may need to start taking additional corticosteroids, especially if your body is stressed due to a major infection, surgery or injury. Deaths due to low steroid levels have sometimes occurred during such stresses.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have taken it within the last 12 months.

If you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medicine, limit alcoholic beverages while taking this medication to lower the risk of stomach/intestinal bleeding.

If you have diabetes, this drug may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and inform your doctor of the results. Your diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.

Caution is advised when using this drug in children because there is a slight risk that it may temporarily slow down a child's growth rate, but this will probably not affect final adult height. Though this effect is rare, monitor your child's height regularly.

The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially water retention.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for an extended time may have low levels of corticosteroid hormone. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.

Florinef passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Therefore, it is important for nursing mothers to consult their physicians prior to starting on Florinef.