mitotane-oral (cont.)
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. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Cancer - Learn about cancer types, disease statistics, facts, and survival rates, and get information about how malignant tumors (cancerous growths) metastasize or spread.
- Cushing's Syndrome - Learn about Cushing's syndrome, a hormonal disorder caused by high levels of cortisol. Symptoms include obesity, a rounded face, increased fat around the face, and a thinning of the arms and legs.
Latest Medical News
Back to Medications Index
Interactive Slideshows