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
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not
take more or less of it, and do not take it more often than
your doctor ordered.
This medicine sometimes causes nausea and vomiting. This
effect usually goes away or lessens after you have taken the
medicine for a while. It is very important that you continue
to use this medicine even if you begin to feel ill. Ask your
health care provider for ways to lessen these effects. Do not
stop taking this medicine without first checking with your
doctor.
If you vomit shortly after taking a dose of
aminoglutethimide, check with your doctor. You will be told
whether to take the dose again or to wait until the next
scheduled dose.
Dosing—
The dose of aminoglutethimide will be different for
different patients. The dose that is used may depend on a
number of things, including what the medicine is being used
for, the patient's weight, and whether or not other medicines
are also being taken. If you are taking aminoglutethimide at
home, follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the
label. If you have any questions about the proper dose of
aminoglutethimide, ask your doctor.
Missed dose—
If you miss a dose of this medicine and remember within 2
to 4 hours of the missed dose, take it as soon as possible.
Then go back to your regular dosing schedule. However, if it
is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go
back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage—
To store this medicine:
* Keep out of the reach of children.
* Store away from heat and direct light.
* Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in
other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to
break down.
* Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of
children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
It is very important that your doctor check your progress
at regular visits to make sure that the medicine is working
properly and does not cause unwanted effects.
Your doctor may want you to carry a medical identification
card or wear a bracelet stating that you are taking this
medicine.
Before you have any kind of surgery (including dental
surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or
dentist in charge that you are taking this medicine. Because
this medicine affects the adrenal gland, extra steroids may be
needed.
Check with your doctor right away if you get an injury,
infection, or illness of any kind. This medicine may weaken
your body's defenses against infection or inflammation.
This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy,
drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you
know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use
machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you
are dizzy or are not alert.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some
unwanted effects. Some side effects will have signs or
symptoms that you can see or feel. Your doctor may watch for
others by doing certain tests. Some of the unwanted effects
that may be caused by aminoglutethimide are listed below.
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:
* Rare
o Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; cough or
hoarseness, accompanied by fever or chills; fever or chills;
lower back or side pain, accompanied by fever or chills;
painful or difficult urination, accompanied by fever or
chills; pinpoint red spots on skin; shortness of breath;
unusual bleeding or bruising; yellow eyes or skin
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if the following
side effects occur:
* More common
o Drowsiness; measles-like skin rash or itching on face and/or
palms of hands
* Less common
o Clumsiness; dizziness or lightheadedness (especially when
getting up from a lying or sitting position); fast heartbeat;
mental depression; shakiness; slurred speech; uncontrolled eye
movements; unusual tiredness or weakness
* Rare
o Neck tenderness or swelling
This medicine may also cause the following side effects
that your doctor will watch for:
* More common
o Low red blood cell count; low white blood cell count
Other 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. However, check
with your health care professional if any of the following
side effects continue or are bothersome:
* More common
o Loss of appetite; nausea
* Less common or rare
o Deepening of voice in females; headache ; increased hair
growth in females; irregular menstrual periods; muscle pain;
vomiting
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some
patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your
doctor.
Additional Information
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a
certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for
other medical problems. Although these uses are not included
in product labeling, aminoglutethimide is used in certain
patients with the following medical conditions:
* Breast cancer
* Prostate cancer
