Lysodren may reduce the amount of natural steroid in the body. This may decrease your ability to recover from physical stress such as illness, injury, or surgery. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Lysodren before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. Tell your doctor right away if you become ill or have an injury while you use Lysodren . You may need to stop taking Lysodren for a period of time. You may need to take a corticosteroid (eg, prednisone) until your body can make enough on its own. Check with your doctor for more information.

Lysodren is used for:

Treating adrenal cortical cancer that cannot be treated with surgery.

Lysodren is an adrenal cytotoxic agent. Exactly how Lysodren works is not known. It may work by slowing adrenal gland function.

Do NOT use Lysodren if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Lysodren
• you have suffered severe trauma or shock

Before using Lysodren :

Some medical conditions may interact with Lysodren . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lysodren . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Lysodren

How to use Lysodren :

Use Lysodren as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Lysodren by mouth with or without food.
• Lysodren may be started in a hospital setting until an individualized dose is determined.
• If nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite occurs, ask your doctor or pharmacist for ways to lessen these effects.
• Swallow Lysodren whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• To minimize the risk of skin exposure always wear gloves when handling bottles containing Lysodren .
• Be sure you know how to properly handle and dispose of Lysodren . Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.
• If you miss a dose of Lysodren , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Important safety information:

• Lysodren may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Lysodren with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Lysodren before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Lab tests, such as adrenal function tests and neurological and behavioral tests, may be performed while you use Lysodren . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Lysodren should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Lysodren while you are pregnant. It is not known if Lysodren is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Lysodren .

Possible side effects of Lysodren :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; lack of energy; loss of appetite; nausea; tiredness; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in the urine; blurred vision, double vision, or other vision changes; fainting; fever; severe or persistent dizziness, drowsiness, headache, lightheadedness, or tiredness.