Lysodren (Mitotane)

What is Lysodren?

Lysodren is a cancer medication.

What is Lysodren used for?

Lysodren is indicated for the treatment of adrenal cortical carcinoma or the cancer of adrenal gland. This may further help prevent blood pressure changes, weight changes, thinning skin, bone or muscle weakness, and diabetes.

How does Lysodren work?

Lysodren effectively hampers the growth and spread of adrenal gland cells and also changes the side effects caused by excessive cortisol hormone production.

How to use Lysodren

Take Lysodren the way it was prescribed by the doctor. Do not consume it for more than the recommended duration or quantity.

Take Lysodren tablets orally, with a full glass of water. The medicine can be taken with or without food.

Usually the doctor advises a dosage frequency of taking the tablets thrice to four times in a day. To gain maximum benefit from this medication, take it regularly and at the same time each day.

Always wear rubber gloves when handling this medicine. Do not crush, break or chew Lysodren tablets.

Lysodren warnings and precautions

Do not take Lysodren if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients.

Before taking Lysodren, inform your doctor if you have a current viral or bacterial infection, blood pressure problems, or liver disease.

Lysodren is known to cause dizziness and high blood pressure. Therefore do not take up tasks that require attention and do not sit up or do anything with a jerk movement. Bed rest is advised.

Since Lysodren consumption has to be continued even after you are discharged from the hospital, do not miss any scheduled appointments with the doctor.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience trauma, sudden weight loss or dizziness. Always wear a card or id to let other hospital officials recognize the emergency of your medical condition.

Discuss with your doctor about the after effects of this medicine on the unborn child if you are pregnant or whether this medicine passes through breast milk or could harm a nursing infant.

What do I do if I have missed a Lysodren dose?

If you have missed a Lysodren dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue the routine. Do not double up the dose to catch up.

What do I do if I have taken a Lysodren overdose?

If you have taken an overdose of Lysodren, contact your doctor.

Lysodren interactions

Before using Lysodren, tell your doctor if you regularly use cold or allergy medicines, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine like codeine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety. Inform your doctor if you use warfarin, heparin, spironolactone, corticosteroids like dexamethasone, predinisone etc.

This will help your doctor decide on the amount of medicine that should be given to you in your current medical condition.

Lysodren side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives or breathing trouble, swelling of your face, throat, tongue or lips. These are unlikely side effects of Lysodren. They must be not ignored.

Call your doctor at once if you experience side effects from Lysodren like giddiness and light headedness, irregular heartbeats, warmth, redness or tingly feeling under your skin, cold or clammy skin, sweating, high fever, chills, uncontrolled shaking, blurred or double vision, confusion; problems with speech, balance or any kind of movement; pain or burning sensation while urinating; blood in the urine, or unexpected weight loss.

Less serious Lysodren side effects may include dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, depression, mild skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite.