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Lysodren Coupon - Lysodren 500mg tablet

Lysodren

mitotane
Used for Adrenal Cancer
Used for Adrenal Cancer

Lysodren (mitotane) is an oral medication that’s used to treat advanced cancer of the adrenal gland. It can be taken by itself or together with other anticancer medications. Lysodren (mitotane) is a convenient pill that’s taken by mouth, but usually needs to be taken multiple times a day. It can commonly cause side effects like nausea and vomiting. You’re required to get blood work done regularly during treatment to check the medication levels in your body.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Jenny Zhang, PharmD, BCOP
reviewer
Cydnee Ng, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 6, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Lysodren (mitotane)?

What is Lysodren (mitotane) used for?

  • Advanced cancer of the adrenal gland

How Lysodren (mitotane) works

Lysodren (mitotane) is an anticancer medication that targets adrenal gland tumors. The exact way it works isn’t known. Lysodren (mitotane) is thought to lower the activity of the outer part of the adrenal gland, which is responsible for making steroid and sex hormones that keep your body in balance. It might also affect the way steroid hormones are broken down in the body.

Are you looking for information on Matulane (procarbazine) or mitomycin injection instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsLysodren
Drug ClassAdrenal cytotoxic agent
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Lysodren (mitotane)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (up to 80%)
  • Dizziness (up to 40%)
  • Loss of balance or feel like your surroundings are spinning (up to 40%)
  • Depression (up to 40%)
  • Rash (15%)

Other Side Effects

  • Confusion
  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Slurred speech
  • Vision problems
  • Liver problems
  • Low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism)
  • Risk for infection or bleeding
  • Breast enlargement or tenderness

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Adrenal crisis: severe lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, sweating, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Darkening of the skin

diarrhea

dizziness or lightheadedness

drowsiness

loss of appetite

mental depression

nausea or vomiting

skin rash

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Blood in the urine

blurred vision

double vision

Incidence not known

Bloating

chills

cloudy urine

cold sweats

confusion

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position

feeling of warmth

fever

frequent urination

headache

pelvic cramping, discomfort, pain, or heaviness

nervousness

painful urination

pounding in the ears

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

slow or fast heartbeat

vaginal bleeding

vision changes

white area over the eye

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

indigestion

passing of gas

sensation of spinning

sleepiness

Less common

Aching muscles

flushing or redness of the skin

muscle twitching

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Lysodren (mitotane)

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Pros

A pill that’s taken by mouth

A recommended treatment option for advanced cancer of the adrenal gland

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Cons

Usually need to take several times a day

Can lower your body’s ability to handle stressful events, such as injury or illness

Not safe during pregnancy

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Lysodren (mitotane)

pharmacist

  • Swallow Lysodren (mitotane) tablets whole. Don’t split, dissolve, or crush the tablets. Otherwise, the medication might harm you.

    • Let your healthcare team know if you have an upcoming surgery or medical procedure. You might need stop taking Lysodren (mitotane) or take steroid medications to help prevent complications and help your body recover better from a procedure. Your healthcare team will discuss your options with you.

      • You’ll need to get blood tests done regularly during Lysodren (mitotane) treatment. This is so your provider can check the levels of the medication in your body and make sure they’re at a safe and effective level. When Lysodren (mitotane) levels are too high, it can lead to more side effects like drowsiness, weakness, and upset stomach. But, having levels too low can mean that the medication might not work as well to treat your cancer. Your provider might change your medication dose based on your lab results. Follow the lab schedule your provider gives you.

        • It's important to tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications you’re taking, including supplements and birth control. Your provider might need to change the dose of your medications. This is because Lysodren (mitotane) can interact with many medications. Usually, it causes other medications to not work as well. Before starting any new medications, make sure your providers know that you're taking Lysodren (mitotane).

          • If you’re a woman who can have children, use birth control while taking Lysodren (mitotane). This medication can harm an unborn baby or raise the risk for miscarriage (pregnancy loss). Let your provider know right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

            • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the best way to handle and dispose of Lysodren (mitotane). Anticancer medications can be hazardous to people who handle or come into contact with them.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Lysodren (mitotane)

              What can I do to help with the nausea and vomiting from Lysodren (mitotane)?
              Let your provider know if you experience nausea or vomiting while taking Lysodren (mitotane). They can suggest ways to help you manage these side effects both with and without medications. You’ll probably be prescribed anti-nausea medications while you’re getting treatment for your cancer. Follow the directions your provider gives you on how to take them, and continue to take them as needed to help with your symptoms. Besides medications, you can also try eating smaller, more frequent meals, drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, and avoiding strong smells. Your provider might also recommend complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, acupressure, hypnosis, or other relaxation techniques.
              How can I lower my chances of developing an infection while taking Lysodren (mitotane)?
              There are many ways you can lower your risk of developing an infection while you’re taking Lysodren (mitotane). The simplest way is to wash your hands often. Also avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Avoid food-borne illnesses by washing raw fruits and vegetables before eating and cooking foods thoroughly. It’s important to follow these tips during treatment because it's possible for Lysodren (mitotane) to lower your blood cell counts, weaken your immune system, and make you more likely to develop an infection. Your immune system can also weaken if you need to take a steroid medication long term to help balance hormone levels in your body while you're taking Lysodren (mitotane). This can be a serious problem because your body has a harder time fighting off infections with a weakened immune system.
              How long do I need to take Lysodren (mitotane) for?
              You should take Lysodren (mitotane) as instructed by your provider. How long you take this medication depends on several factors. These factors include how well it’s working to treat your adrenal gland cancer and how well you’re able to tolerate its side effects (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). If you experience side effects like drowsiness or weakness, your provider might pause your treatment briefly until they go away, and then restart the medication at a lower dose. Don’t stop taking Lysodren (mitotane) without first discussing with your provider.
              Is Lysodren (mitotane) safe if I have liver problems?
              You might be at higher risk for side effects from Lysodren (mitotane) if you have liver problems, especially if they’re severe. If you have liver problems, your body might have a harder time breaking down Lysodren (mitotane). This can lead to higher levels of the medication in your body and toxicity. Let your provider know if you have problems with your liver. You might need more frequent follow ups, or you might need changes to the dose of your medication.
              Is Lysodren (mitotane) safe while breastfeeding?
              Breastfeeding isn’t recommended while taking Lysodren (mitotane) and for as long as the medication can be found in your blood after stopping treatment. Lysodren (mitotane) can pass into breast milk and has a possible risk of causing serious harm to nursing babies. Talk to your provider if you have any questions about other ways to feed your baby while taking Lysodren (mitotane). After stopping the medication, follow up with your provider for blood tests to see when it’s safe for you to breastfeed your baby.
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              What are the risks and warnings for Lysodren (mitotane)?

              Lysodren (mitotane) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              Adrenal gland problems

              Taking Lysodren (mitotane) can cause your adrenal glands to not make enough cortisol. Cortisol is the main hormone that helps to manage stress in your body. Your provider will check your hormone levels through regular blood work. You might need to take steroid medication to help balance hormone levels in your body.

              In serious cases, taking Lysodren (mitotane) can cause your body to go into shock when a stressful or traumatic event happens, such as surgery or illness. This is called adrenal crisis. Get medical attention right away if you experience lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, sweating, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, or loss of consciousness.

              risk-warning

              Effects on the brain and nervous system

              • Risk factors: High levels of Lysodren (mitotane) in your blood

                Lysodren (mitotane) can cause you to become very drowsy, weak, or dizzy. Having higher levels of Lysodren (mitotane) in your blood are generally linked to more of these side effects. Your provider will check your blood work to see how much Lysodren (mitotane) is in your body. They might adjust your medication dose to lower your risk of these side effects if your lab results show higher than acceptable medication levels in your blood.

                risk-warning

                Harm to unborn baby

                Lysodren (mitotane) can harm an unborn baby or raise the risk for miscarriage (pregnancy loss). Because of these risks, if you’re a woman who can get pregnant, you should use birth control while taking Lysodren (mitotane). Continue using birth control after stopping treatment until your provider says you’re in the clear. This is because the medication can stay in the body for a while even after you’ve stopped taking it. Your provider will check your blood work to see whether Lysodren (mitotane) is still in your body after the last dose. Let your provider know right away if you become pregnant during or after treatment.

                risk-warning

                Ovarian cysts in females who haven’t reached menopause

                Some premenopausal people who’ve taken Lysodren (mitotane) have developed ovarian cysts during treatment. These cysts can appear on both sides of the ovaries. Let your provider know if you experience any unusual vaginal bleeding or pain in the pelvic area, as these can be symptoms of an ovarian cyst. Sometimes, these symptoms can improve after stopping Lysodren (mitotane).

                dosage

                Lysodren (mitotane) dosage forms

                Typical dosing for Lysodren (mitotane)

                The typical starting dose is 2 to 6 grams by mouth daily, divided into 3 or 4 doses throughout the day. You’ll need to get regular blood work done to measure Lysodren (mitotane) levels in your body. Your provider might adjust your dose based on your lab results.

                interactions

                Interactions between Lysodren (mitotane) and other drugs

                Lysodren (mitotane) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Lysodren (mitotane). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                • Atazanavir
                • Daclatasvir
                • Dasabuvir
                • Delamanid
                • Doravirine
                • Elbasvir
                • Fostemsavir
                • Grazoprevir
                • Isavuconazonium
                • Lorlatinib

                Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                images

                Lysodren (mitotane) images

                White Round Bl L1 - Lysodren 500mg Tablet
                This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Bl L1".White Round Bl L1 - Lysodren 500mg Tablet

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                References

                Best studies we found

                American Cancer Society. (2019). Chemotherapy safety.

                Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). What you need to know: Neutropenia and risk for infection.

                Elshimy, G., et al. (2023). Adrenal crisis. StatPearls.

                View All References (7)

                HRA Pharma Rare Diseases. (2024). Lysodren- mitotane tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Adrenal cortex.

                National Cancer Institute. (2022). Nausea and vomiting.

                National Cancer Institute. (2023). Adrenocortical carcinoma treatment (PDQ®)–Patient version.

                National Comprehensive Cancer Network. (2022). Adrenal tumors. 

                National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2018). Definition & facts of adrenal insufficiency & Addison's disease.

                Shah, M. H., et al. (2021). Neuroendocrine and adrenal tumors, Version 2.2021, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

                GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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