Lysodren (Mitotane) Drug Information: Clinical Pharmacology

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Lysodren

Cancer »

What is cancer?

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in a body. The abnormal cells are termed cancer cells, malignant cells, or tumor cells. Many cancers and the abnormal cells that compose the cancer tissue are further identified by the name of the tissue that the abnormal cells originated from (for example, breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer). Cancer is not confined to humans; animals and other living organisms can get cancer. Below is a schematic that shows normal cell division and how when a cell is damaged or altered without repair to its system, the cell usually dies. Also shown is what can occur when such damaged or unrepaired cells do not die and become cancer cells and proliferate with uncontrolled growth; a mass of cancer cells develop. Frequently, cancer cells can break away from this original mass of cells, travel through the blood and lymph systems, and lodge in other organs where they can again repeat the ...

Read the Cancer article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next »

Lysodren User Reviews >>

Lysodren

Breast Cancer Slideshow Pictures

Pancreatic Cancer Slideshow Pictures

Skin Cancer Slideshow Pictures

font size

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

LYSODREN (mitotane) can best be described as an adrenal cytotoxic agent, although it can cause adrenal inhibition, apparently without cellular destruction. Its biochemical mechanism of action is unknown. Data are available to suggest that the drug modifies the peripheral metabolism of steroids as well as directly suppressing the adrenal cortex. The administration of LYSODREN (mitotane) alters the extra-adrenal metabolism of cortisol in man; leading to a reduction in measurable 17-hydroxy corticosteroids, even though plasma levels of corticosteroids do not fall. The drug apparently causes increased formation of 6-β-hydroxycortisol.

Data in adrenal carcinoma patients indicate that about 40% of oral LYSODREN (mitotane) is absorbed and approximately 10% of administered dose is recovered in the urine as a water-soluble metabolite. A variable amount of metabolite (1 to 17%) is excreted in the bile and the balance is apparently stored in the tissues.

Following discontinuation of LYSODREN (mitotane) , the plasma terminal half-life has ranged from 18 to 159 days. In most patients blood levels become undetectable after 6 to 9 weeks. Autopsy data have provided evidence that LYSODREN (mitotane) is found in most tissues of the body; however, fat tissues are the primary site of storage. LYSODREN (mitotane) is converted to a water-soluble metabolite.

No unchanged LYSODREN (mitotane) has been found in urine or bile.

Last reviewed on RxList: 3/12/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.