Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? No
- Drug class: Antiadrenal, antineoplastic
Uses
- Treats Cushing's syndrome.
- Treats breast malignancies.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablets--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole,
crumble tablet and take with liquid or food. Instructions
to take on empty stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after
eating.
When to take:
Follow doctor's instructions exactly.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than
2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Suppresses adrenal cortex.
Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 2 hours.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines (including over-the-counter drugs such
as cough and cold medicines, laxatives, antacids, diet pills,
caffeine, nose drops or vitamins) without consulting your
doctor.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
None expected.
WHAT TO DO:
Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger
amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center
or hospital emergency room for instructions.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
Common:
Skin rash on face and hands.
Infrequent:
- Dizziness, drowsiness, unexplained fatigue, low back pain,
pain on urinating, clumsiness, unusual eye movements, appetite
loss.
- Vomiting, skin darkening, depression, headache, muscle
pain.
Rare:
Unusual bleeding or bruising.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
- You have recently been exposed to chicken pox.
- You have shingles (herpes zoster).
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you have decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism).
- If you have any form of infection.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and
severe than in younger persons. You may need smaller doses
for shorter periods of time.
Pregnancy:
May cause birth defects. Avoid if possible.
Breast-feeding:
Effect not documented. Consult your doctor.
Infants & children:
Effect not documented. Consult your pediatrician.
Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations
or laboratory studies to check thyroid function, liver function,
serum electrolytes (sodium potassium, chloride) and blood
pressure.
Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.
Discontinuing:
No special problems expected.
Others:
- Advise any doctor or dentist whom you consult that you
take this medicine.
- May affect results in some medical tests.
- May cause decreased thyroid function.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
