Cortisone is a steroid medicine that is used to reduce inflammation caused by many different conditions such as allergic disorders, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, and breathing problems.

Cortisone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use cortisone if you are allergic to it, or if you have a fungal infection anywhere in your body.

Steroids can weaken your immune system, making it easier for you to get an infection or worsening an infection you already have. Tell your doctor about any illness or infection you had within the past several weeks, especially:

• tuberculosis;
• herpes infection of the eyes; or
• a parasite infection that causes diarrhea (such as threadworms).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• cirrhosis or other liver disease;
• kidney disease;
• a thyroid disorder;
• osteoporosis;
• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
• glaucoma or cataracts;
• stomach ulcers, ulcerative colitis, or diverticulitis;
• depression or mental illness;
• congestive heart failure; or
• high blood pressure.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Use Cortone Acetate (Oral) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights;
• swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath;
• unusual changes in mood or behavior;
• skin lesions;
• sudden unusual pain in a bone or joint;
• severe headaches, ringing in your ears, pain behind your eyes;
• stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• pancreatitis--severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting; or
• low blood potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Cortisone can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate.

Common side effects may include:

• high blood pressure;
• muscle pain or weakness;
• sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes;
• thinning skin, bruising or discoloration;
• increased sweating;
• headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;
• stomach pain, bloating; or
• slow wound healing.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Ask your doctor before receiving a vaccine. The vaccine may not work as well while you are using cortisone.

Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Call your doctor for preventive treatment if you are exposed to chickenpox or measles. These conditions can be serious or even fatal in people who are using cortisone.

Avoid drinking alcohol.