Cortef

Cortef is used for:

Treating severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis, and skin conditions. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Cortef is a corticosteroid. It works by decreasing or preventing tissues from responding to inflammation. It also modifies the body's response to certain immune stimulation.

Do NOT use Cortef if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cortef
• you have a systemic fungal infection
• you are taking mifepristone

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cortef :

Some medical conditions may interact with Cortef . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are scheduled for a vaccination with a live virus vaccine (eg, smallpox)
• if you have a history of an underactive thyroid, liver or kidney problems, heart problems or heart attack, diabetes, high blood pressure, inflammation of the esophagus, stomach problems (eg, ulcers), bowel blockage or other bowel problems (eg, ulcerative colitis or gravis), or mental or mood problems (eg, depression)
• if you have measles, chickenpox, herpes infection of the eye, or any other type of bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or viral infection
• if you have recently had tuberculosis (TB) or have had a positive skin test for TB

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cortef . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Aprepitant because it may increase the risk of Cortef 's side effects
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), carbamazepine, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), or rifampin because they may decrease Cortef 's effectiveness
• Clarithromycin, azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), steroidal contraceptives (eg, desogestrel), or troleandomycin because side effects, such as weakness, confusion, muscle aches, joint pain, or low blood sugar, may occur
• Methotrexate or ritodrine because their actions and the risk of their side effects may be increased by Cortef
• Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), live vaccines, or mifepristone because their effectiveness may be decreased by Cortef
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or aspirin because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased or decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cortef may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.