Lysodren

What is Lysodren and how is it used?

Lysodren (mitotane) is an antineoplastic (anticancer) medication used to treat cancer of the adrenal gland (adrenal cortical carcinoma).

What are side effects of Lysodren?

Common side effects of Lysodren include:

• dizziness,
• spinning sensation (vertigo),
• drowsiness,
• tiredness,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• loss of appetite,
• headache,
• unusual weakness,
• depression, or
• skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Lysodren including:

• severe dizziness,
• flushing,
• fast or pounding heartbeat,
• shakiness (tremors),
• unusual or rapid weight loss,
• change in skin color or thickness,
• easy bleeding or bruising,
• breast tenderness or enlargement (males),
• unwanted facial or body hair (females),
• mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, irritability, difficulty concentrating, confusion),
• speech problems,
• numbness or tingling of hands or feet,
• unsteadiness,
• pink urine, or
• vision problems.

DESCRIPTION

LYSODREN (mitotane) is an oral adrenal cytotoxic agent. The chemical name is (±)-1,1dichloro-2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl) ethane (also known as o,p’-DDD). The chemical structure is:

Mitotane is a white granular solid composed of clear colorless crystals. It is tasteless and has a slight pleasant aromatic odor. It is soluble in ethanol and has a molecular weight of 320.05.

Inactive ingredients in LYSODREN are: microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 3350, silicon dioxide, and starch.

INDICATIONS

LYSODREN is indicated for the treatment of patients with inoperable, functional or nonfunctional, adrenal cortical carcinoma.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Recommended Dose

The recommended initial dose of LYSODREN is 2 g to 6 g orally, in three or four divided doses per day. Increase doses incrementally to achieve a blood concentration of 14 to 20 mg/L, or as tolerated.

LYSODREN is a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures.

Dose Modifications

Adrenal Crisis In The Setting Of Shock Or Severe Trauma

Discontinue LYSODREN until recovery [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Central Nervous System (CNS) Toxicity

Discontinue LYSODREN until symptoms resolve. Seven to 10 days after symptoms resolve, restart at a lower dose (for example, decrease by 500-1000 mg) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

HOW SUPPLIED

Dosage Forms And Strengths

500 mg white, round, biconvex, scored tablets, bisected on one side and impressed with “BL” over “L1” on the other side.

Storage And Handling

LYSODREN tablets are supplied as 500 mg white, round, biconvex, scored tablets, bisected on one side and impressed with “BL” over “L1” on the other side.

100 tablets per bottle: NDC 76336-080-60

Store bottles at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F-86°F). Mitotane is a cytotoxic drug. Follow applicable special handling and disposal procedures [see REFERENCES].

REFERENCES

1. OSHA. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/hazardousdrugs/index.html

Manufactured by: Corden Pharma Latina S.p.A. Via del Murillo Km. 2.800, 04013 Sermoneta (Latina), Italy. Revised: Jun 2021

SIDE EFFECTS

The following adverse reactions are discussed in greater detail in other sections of the label:

• Adrenal Crisis in the Setting of Shock or Severe Trauma [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• CNS Toxicity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Adrenal Insufficiency [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]
• Ovarian macrocysts [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS]

The following adverse reactions associated with the use of LYSODREN were identified in clinical trials or postmarketing reports. Because these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency reliably or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

Common adverse reactions occurring with LYSODREN treatment include:

• Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (80%)
• Depression, dizziness, or vertigo (15%-40%)
• Rash (15%)
• Neutropenia
• Growth retardation, hypothyroidism
• Confusion, headache, ataxia, mental impairment, weakness, dysarthria
• Maculopathy
• Hepatitis, elevation of liver enzymes
• Gynecomastia
• Hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia
• Decreased blood androstenedione and decreased blood testosterone in females, increased sex hormone binding globulin in females and males, decreased blood free testosterone in males.

Less common adverse reactions include: visual blurring, diplopia, lens opacity, retinopathy, prolonged bleeding time, hematuria, hemorrhagic cystitis, albuminuria, hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, flushing, generalized aching, fever and hypogonadism (in males).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Certain CYP3A Substrates

Mitotane is a strong CYP3A inducer. Concomitant use of LYSODREN may decrease the concentrations of CYP3A substrates, which may reduce the efficacy of these substrates. Avoid the concomitant use of LYSODREN with certain CYP3A4 substrates where minimal concentration changes may lead to therapeutic failure. If concomitant use cannot be avoided, increase the CYP3A substrate dosage in accordance with approved product labeling.

Warfarin

When administering coumarin-type anticoagulants to patients receiving LYSODREN, monitor coagulation tests and adjust the anticoagulant dose as needed.

WARNINGS

Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section

PRECAUTIONS

Adrenal Crisis In The Setting Of Shock Or Severe Trauma

In patients taking LYSODREN, adrenal crisis occurs in the setting of shock or severe trauma and response to shock is impaired. Administer hydrocortisone, monitor for escalating signs of shock, and discontinue LYSODREN until recovery [see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION].

CNS Toxicity

CNS toxicity, including sedation, lethargy, and vertigo, occurs with LYSODREN treatment. Mitotane plasma concentrations exceeding 20 mcg/mL are associated with a greater incidence of toxicity.

Adrenal Insufficiency

Treatment with LYSODREN can cause adrenal insufficiency. Institute steroid replacement as clinically indicated. Measure free cortisol and corticotropin (ACTH) levels to achieve optimal steroid replacement.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

LYSODREN can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Abnormal pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm births and early pregnancy loss, can occur in patients exposed to mitotane during pregnancy. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LYSODREN and after discontinuation of treatment for as long as mitotane plasma levels are detectable [see Use In Specific Populations].

Ovarian Macrocysts In Premenopausal Women

Ovarian macrocysts, often bilateral and multiple, have been reported in premenopausal patients receiving LYSODREN. Complications from these cysts, including adnexal torsion and hemorrhagic cyst rupture, have been reported. In some cases, improvement after mitotane discontinuation has been described. Advise female patients to seek medical care if they experience gynecological symptoms such as vaginal bleeding and/or pelvic pain [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].

Nonclinical Toxicology

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

The carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of mitotane are unknown.

Use In Specific Populations

Pregnancy

Risk Summary

LYSODREN can cause fetal harm. Limited postmarketing cases report preterm births and early pregnancy loss in women treated with LYSODREN during pregnancy. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with mitotane. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Lactation

Risk Summary

Mitotane is excreted in human milk; however, the effect of LYSODREN on the breastfed infant, or effect on milk production is unknown. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in the breastfed infant, advise nursing women that breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with LYSODREN and after discontinuation of treatment for as long as mitotane plasma levels are detectable.

Females And Males Of Reproductive Potential

Contraception

Females

LYSODREN can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Pregnancy]. Advise female patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with LYSODREN and after discontinuation of therapy for as long as mitotane plasma levels are detectable [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

Geriatric Use

Clinical studies of LYSODREN did not include sufficient numbers of patients aged 65 years and older to determine whether they respond differently than younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.

Hepatic Impairment

Hepatic impairment may interfere with the metabolism of mitotane and the drug may accumulate. Administer LYSODREN with caution to patients with hepatic impairment.

OVERDOSE

No Information provided

CONTRAINDICATIONS

None.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Mechanism Of Action

Mitotane is an adrenal cytotoxic agent with an unknown mechanism of action. Mitotane modifies the peripheral metabolism of steroids and directly suppresses the adrenal cortex. A reduction in 17-hydroxycorticosteroids in the absence of decreased corticosteroid concentrations and increased formation of 6-β-hydroxycortisol have been reported.

Pharmacodynamics

The pharmacodynamics of mitotane are unknown.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Following oral administration of LYSODREN, 40% of the dose is absorbed.

Distribution

Mitotane is found in most tissues of the body; however, fat is the primary site of distribution.

Elimination

Following discontinuation of mitotane, the plasma terminal half-life ranges from 18 to 159 days (median 53 days).

Metabolism

Mitotane is converted to a water-soluble metabolite.

Excretion

No unchanged mitotane is found in urine or bile. Approximately 10% of the administered dose is recovered in the urine as a water-soluble metabolite. A variable amount of metabolite (1%-17%) is excreted in the bile.

PATIENT INFORMATION

Adrenal Crisis

• Advise patients to discontinue LYSODREN in the case of shock or severe trauma and contact their healthcare provider immediately.
• Advise patients to tell their healthcare provider of any planned surgeries.

Ovarian Macrocysts

• Advise premenopausal women to seek medical care if they experience gynecological symptoms such as vaginal bleeding and/or pelvic pain [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity

• Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and Use In Specific Populations].
• Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and after discontinuation of treatment for as long as instructed by their healthcare provider [see Use In Specific Populations].

Lactation

• Advise females who are nursing not to breastfeed during treatment with LYSODREN [see Use In Specific Populations].