Cytadren (Oral)

Generic name:aminoglutethimide (oral route) [ a-mee-noe-gloo-TETH-i-mide ]
Drug class:Adrenal corticosteroid inhibitors

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 17, 2021.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Cytadren

Pharmacologic Class: Aromatase Inhibitor

Uses for Cytadren

Aminoglutethimide acts on a part of the body called the adrenal cortex. It affects production of steroids and also has some other effects. Aminoglutethimide is used to treat some kinds of tumors that affect the adrenal cortex. Also, it is sometimes used when the adrenal cortex is overactive without being cancerous.

In addition, aminoglutethimide is sometimes used to treat certain other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Aminoglutethimide is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using Cytadren

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 this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

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.

Geriatric

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

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with 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 this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

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.

• Acenocoumarol
• Dexamethasone
• Digitoxin
• Theophylline
• Warfarin

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with cert...