What is Mitotane?
Mitotane is a cancer medication. That interferes with the growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Mitotane is used to treat cancer of the adrenal gland (adrenal cortical carcinoma).
Mitotane may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Mitotane?
You may receive your first few doses of mitotane in a hospital setting where you can be monitored in case the medication causes serious side effects.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to mitotane.
Before taking mitotane, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, or if you have had a recent infection, surgery, or trauma.
Always wear rubber gloves when handling mitotane tablets. The medicine from a crushed or broken tablet can be dangerous if it gets on your skin.
You may need to take steroid medication along with mitotane to best treat your condition. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.
If you have any type of infection, serious injury or medical emergency, you may need to stop taking this medication for a short time. Your doctor will determine when you can start taking mitotane again.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking mitotane, in case of an emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are using mitotane.
You must remain under the care of a doctor while taking mitotane. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
It may take up to several months of using mitotane before your symptoms improve. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Mitotane?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to mitotane.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication:
- recent infection, surgery, or trauma
- liver disease
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether mitotane is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether mitotane passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Mitotane Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Mitotane?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- feeling like you might pass out
- fast or pounding heartbeats
- warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin
- sweating, cold or clammy skin
- high fever, chills, uncontrolled shaking
- blurred or double vision
- confusion, problems with speech, balance, or walking
- pain or burning when you urinate
- blood in your urine; or
- unexpected weight loss
Less serious side effects may include:
- dizziness, spinning sensation
- drowsiness, tired feeling
- depressed mood
- mild skin rash
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; or
- loss of appetite
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.
Mitotane Interactions
What other drugs affect Mitotane?
Before using mitotane, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by mitotane.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
- a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- spironolactone (Aldactone)
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with mitotane. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Mitotane?
Avoid being near people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Avoid activities that may increase your risk of trauma or injury.
Mitotane can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Mitotane Dosage
How should I take Mitotane?
You may receive your first few doses of mitotane in a hospital setting where you can be monitored in case the medication causes serious side effects.
Take mitotane exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
You may take mitotane with or without food.
Always wear rubber gloves when handling mitotane tablets. Do not crush or break a tablet, or use a tablet that has been accidentally broken. The medicine from a crushed or broken tablet can be dangerous if it gets on your skin. If skin contact occurs, wash the area with soap and water. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely dispose of the broken tablet.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. You may also need to take steroid medication to best treat your condition. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.
Contact your doctor at once if you develop signs of infection such as fever, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, or unusual weakness.
If you have any type of infection, serious injury or medical emergency, you may need to stop taking this medication for a short time. Your doctor will determine when you can start taking mitotane again.
Carry an ID card or wear a medical alert bracelet stating that you are taking mitotane, in case of an emergency. Any doctor, dentist, or emergency medical care provider who treats you should know that you are using mitotane.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. You must remain under the care of a doctor while taking mitotane. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
It may take up to several months of using mitotane before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using your medications as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Store mitotane at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I overdose on Mitotane?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a mitotane overdose are not known.
What happens if I miss a dose of Mitotane?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com