Has your doctor prescribed you or someone in your family a medicine called Mitotane? This is a rather special medicine, so you may have a lot of questions about it. You may be wondering things like, 'What will happen with this?', 'What are the things to be careful about?' Don't worry, in this article we will talk about everything you need to know about this medicine in a simple and friendly way.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, Mitotane is a drug that limits and controls the function of the adrenal glands, which are two small glands located above our kidneys. These glands produce several essential hormones for our body.
So this medicine is mainly used to treat adrenal cancer, which cannot be completely removed by surgery. Sometimes doctors may also prescribe it for other medical conditions.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
For your safety and the success of your treatment, it is very important that you give your doctor a complete description of your health before starting this medication. Your doctor should be aware of the following:
- Liver disease: Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any liver disease.
- Allergies: If you have previously had an allergic reaction to mitotane or any other medicine, food, preservative, or dye.
- Pregnancy: If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or suspect you are pregnant.
- Breastfeeding: If you are a mother who is breastfeeding a child.
Based on this information, the dosage of medication you are given and the instructions you need to follow may change.
How do you use this medicine?
It is very important to pay attention to the correct way to take this medicine.
- Swallow this pill with a glass of water.
- Follow the doctor's instructions exactly as stated on the prescription label.
- Take the prescribed dose at the prescribed time. Do not take more than your doctor tells you to.
- Very important: Never stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
Children may require special care when using this medicine, so talk to a pediatrician about it and follow their instructions.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Treat this as an emergency.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Missing a dose of medicine can happen to anyone. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
Mitotane is a drug that can interact with some other medications. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking. Below are some of these medications.
| Drug category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Medicines that should not be taken | Medicines such as artemether, lorlatinib, lurasidone, praziquantel, ranolazine. Some antiviral drugs for HIV or Hepatitis. Some medications for fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole). |
| Other medications that may interact | Warfarin (a medicine given to prevent blood clotting). |
| Notify your doctor. | Give your doctor a complete list of all medications , herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. It is also important to tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs. |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
You need to pay special attention to your health while taking this medicine.
Regular medical checkups
See your doctor regularly to check on the progress of your treatment. You may need to have some blood work done during this time. Also, if you are going to have any surgery, inform your doctor in advance.
Drowsiness and dizziness
This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or doing anything that requires mental concentration until you know how this medicine affects you. Be careful when moving from standing to sitting and from sitting to standing. This is especially important if you are elderly.
What to do in an emergency
Tell your doctor right away if you have a serious injury, a serious infection, or an illness that requires hospitalization. In such cases, you may need to temporarily stop taking this medicine until you recover.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
This is very important. Avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medicine. If you are planning to become pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. This medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn baby. Therefore, it is essential to use effective birth control . Also, do not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
Possible Side Effects
Like any medication, mitotane can cause side effects. Some are minor, while others require immediate attention.
| Side effects and symptoms |
|---|
| Things to tell your doctor immediately |
|
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. |
|
How to store medicine?
- Keep it out of the reach of children.
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 Celsius).
- Keep the bottle tightly closed, protected from light.
- Throw away expired medication. Ask your doctor how to properly dispose of this medication.
Take-Home Message
- Mitotane is a special medication for adrenal gland cancer that must be taken under the close supervision of a doctor.
- It is essential to tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbs you are taking.
- Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without medical advice.
- Be on the lookout for serious side effects such as signs of infection, liver problems (yellowing of the skin/eyes), and severe drowsiness, and notify your doctor immediately if you notice any of these.
- Completely avoid pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking this medication.
- Seek emergency medical attention immediately in case of overdose or serious illness.
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