Lysodren® comes as a 500 mg tablet that you take orally (by mouth). Your doctor will likely start you on a low dose (for example, 500 mg to 2000 mg) and slowly increase the dose over a few months. This process is called titration.
You should take your daily dose of Lysodren® as 3 or 4 divided doses per day. For example, if your doctor starts you on 2000 mg (500 mg x 4) per day, you would take 1 pill 4 times a day.
Your prescribing doctor will advise on your exact dosage.
High-fat food helps your body absorb it better.
Take at the same time
each day, such as mealtimes.
Read the Patient Medication Guide before you start taking Lysodren®. Also, read the Warning section. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects are common when taking Lysodren®. Tell your doctor about any problems or concerns you have. Your healthcare team can treat and/or talk with you about ways to reduce these side effects so you feel better.
The most common side effects are:
It is important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. This includes prescriptions, but also over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking Lysodren® with certain other medicines may affect the way Lysodren® and the other medicines work. It may increase your risk of side effects.
Taking Lysodren® can cause adrenal insufficiency. This happens when your adrenal glands stop making enough cortisol. This can cause other serious problems and can be fatal if untreated. Tell your doctor if any of your symptoms are severe or do not go away.1
For more information about side effects, please review the Medication Guide.
What Is Adrenal Insufficiency?1
As Lysodren® begins to take effect, it can cause your adrenal glands to stop making enough cortisol. To help prevent adrenal insufficiency, doctors often prescribe corticosteroid therapy, such as hydrocortisone, to replace the cortisol the body is not making. Your doctor may adjust (titrate) your dose as needed.
It is important to let your doctor know if you get sick or plan to have surgery, as stressful events may require your doctor to adjust your corticosteroid dose further. If you develop adrenal insufficiency during treatment, your doctor may (based on your symptoms) temporarily stop, reduce your dose, or permanently stop treatment with Lysodren®. You should consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or necklace in case of an emergency.
Tell your doctor right away if you develop signs or symptoms of adrenal insufficiency or adrenal crisis.
Lysodren® is effective if the amount of drug in the body is controlled to a certain level. This requires regular blood tests to check the level in your blood. Your doctor will adjust your dose based on your medical condition, your response to treatment, and the side effects you may have.1
In general, the target level of Lysodren® is between 14-20 mg/L, but may vary by person. The process to reach the optimal level of Lysodren® may take 3 to 5 months or longer. Your doctor will advise you on your exact dosage and target blood level. Once your levels are stable, your doctor may order blood tests less often.1,3
View Continuing Lysodren® for information to help maintain your treatment.
1. Lysodren®. US Prescribing information. ESTEVE.
2. Simpson H, Tomlinson J, Wass J, Dean J, Arlt W. Guidance for the prevention and emergency management of adult patients with adrenal insufficiency. Clin Med (Lond). 2020;20(4):371-378. doi:10.7861/clinmed.2019-0324
3. Mitotane. Medscape. Accessed May 16, 2024. https://reference.medscape.com/drug/lysodren-mitotane-342258
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