Biology Disease
Drugs and Medicines

Drug Name Mitotane oral

Mitotane oral Drug Category MITOTANE - ORAL

Mitotane oral Drug Information

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug. MITOTANE - ORAL (MY-toe-tain) COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Lysodren WARNING: Mitotane causes your body to decrease its ability to quickly respond to stress (shock, severe injury, or infection). Mitotane may need to be stopped if you experience an injury, infection, or other stressful situation. Your doctor may prescribe another medication (corticosteroid) in a situation where mitotane must be stopped. You will be closely monitored while you are using this medication. Notify your doctor if you experience unusual weakness, fatigue, dizziness or fainting, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of an infection (e.g., persistent sore throat or fever). USES: This medication is used to treat cancer of the adrenal glands. OTHER USES: This drug may also be used for other adrenal problems (e.g., Cushing's syndrome). HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth as directed, generally 3 or 4 times daily. Follow instructions carefully, as the dosage will be adjusted based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Generally, natural replacement corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone) are used every day with this drug to lessen the chance of side effects. It may take up to several months to receive the full benefit from this drug. Learn proper technique for safe handling and disposal of this medicine and its container. Consult your pharmacist. SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, muscle aches, twitching or unusual weakness may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly: skin rash, unusual, rapid weight loss, pink urine, darkening patches of skin. Unlikely but report: fever, breast tenderness (males), mental or mood changes, vision problems, trouble breathing. Very unlikely but report: itching/swelling, unsteadiness, tingling of the hands or feet. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your entire medical history, including: allergies (especially drug allergies), liver disease, blood pressure problems. Limit alcohol intake, as it may aggravate drug side effects. Caution is advised when performing tasks requiring alertness (e.g., driving), since this drug may cause drowsiness. To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly. Immediately contact your doctor if a stress situation (e.g., trauma, surgery, serious infection) is occurring. Additional corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone) may be needed for these stresses, as well as temporarily stopping mitotane. This advice applies during and up to 8 months after stopping mitotane treatment. Carry an emergency card or bracelet with this "stress situation" information. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. However, due to the possible effects on the infant, breast-feeding is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription and prescription medication you may use, especially: corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), gout drugs, spironolactone, blood pressure medicine, drugs for high cholesterol. Also report drugs that cause drowsiness such as: sleeping pills, sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine, morphine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines or tricyclics), anti- seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), muscle relaxants, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., diphenhydramine). Check all labels carefully for drugs that cause drowsiness (e.g., certain antihistamines in cough-and-cold products). Consult your pharmacist. This drug may affect cholesterol, uric acid and corticosteroid lab test results. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. NOTES: Laboratory/medical tests may be performed to monitor response to this medicine. MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up. STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).