Aminoglutethimide (Systemic)

Brand Names : Cytadren

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For aminoglutethimide, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to glutethimide or aminoglutethimide. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Aminoglutethimide has been shown to cause birth defects in humans and animals. However, this medicine may be needed in serious diseases or in other situations that threaten the mother's life. In addition, aminoglutethimide has been shown to cause fertility problems in animals. Be sure you have discussed this with your doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether aminoglutethimide passes into breast milk. However, this medicine has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children - Aminoglutethimide has been tested in a limited number of children. However, the effects of aminoglutethimide in children were difficult to determine because it was given in combination with other medicines.

Older adults - Lack of energy is more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the effects of aminoglutethimide.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking aminoglutethimide it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

• Dexamethasone (e.g., Decadron) - Aminoglutethimide increases the rate at which dexamethasone is removed from the body

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of aminoglutethimide. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Chickenpox (including recent exposure) or
• Herpes zoster (shingles) - Risk of severe disease affecting other parts of the body

• Infection - May affect the adrenal cortex. If a steroid supplement is being used, a change in dose may be needed

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease - Effects of aminoglutethimide may be increased because of slower removal from the body

• Underactive thyroid - Aminoglutethimide can cause underactive thyroid