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mitotane - oral, Lysodren

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GENERIC NAME: MITOTANE - ORAL (MY-toe-tain)

BRAND NAME(S): Lysodren

Warning | Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

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 stress. Your doctor may also prescribe another medication (corticosteroid).

Tell your doctor if you experience unusual weakness, tiredness, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of an infection (e.g., persistent sore throat, fever).

USES: Mitotane is used to treat cancer of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce hormones, which are needed by the body to deal with stress, fight infection, and maintain normal functions such as blood pressure. Certain cancers cause the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol and other hormones, causing a certain serious condition (Cushing's syndrome). Too much of these hormones can cause many problems such as blood pressure changes, weight changes, muscle/bone weakness, thinning skin, and diabetes. Mitotane works by killing or slowing the growth of adrenal gland cells and also reverses the side effects caused by too much hormone production.OTHER This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.This drug may also be used alone or with other medications to treat other forms of Cushing's syndrome not caused by adrenal cancer (e.g., non-pituitary tumor).

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 3 or 4 times daily or as directed by your doctor. This medication is often started in the hospital, where your doctor can follow you closely as your dose is adjusted to the best dose for you. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy (e.g., cortisol levels).Usually, you will need to take replacement corticosteroids (e.g., hydrocortisone) every day while you are taking this drug and for some time after stopping mitotane.Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased.It may take up to several months to receive the full benefit from this drug. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the tablets. Learn proper technique for safe handling and disposal of this medicine and its container. Consult your pharmacist.

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