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Cytadren |
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CytadrenGeneric name: AminoqlutethimideTrade name: Cytadren Other names: Drug type: Cytadren is a hormone therapy. It fights cancer as an "adrenal steroid inhibitor." (For more detail, see "How this drug works" section below). What this drug is used for:
How this drug is given:
Side effects:Important things to remember about the side effects of aminoglutethimide:
The following side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking aminoglutethimide:
These are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving aminoglutethimide:
Not all side effects are listed above, some that are rare (occurring in less than 10% of patients) are not listed here. However, you should always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms. When to contact your doctor or health care provider:The following symptoms require medical
Be sure your health care provider is aware if you are experiencing these symptoms. If adrenal insufficiency occurs replacement steroids may be needed. Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms. Precautions:
Self-care tips:
Monitoring and testing:During the course of treatment, your response to this medicine will be carefully monitored. Your blood may be tested at intervals determined by your doctor to check your thyroid function, and adrenal gland function. How this drug works:Aminoglutethimide is a type of hormone therapy. Hormones are chemical substances that are produced by glands in the body, which enter the bloodstream and cause effects in other tissues. (For example, the hormone testosterone made in the testicles is responsible for male characteristics such as deepening voice and increased body hair.) The use of hormone therapy to treat cancer is based on the observation that receptors for specific hormones that are needed for cell growth are on the surface of some tumor cells. Hormone therapies work by stopping the production of a certain hormone, blocking hormone receptors, or substituting chemically similar agents for the active hormone, which cannot be used by the tumor cell. The different types of hormone therapies are categorized by their function and/or the type of hormone that is effected. Aminoglutethimide is an adrenal steroid inhibitor, which means it interferes with the hormones produced by the adrenal gland. The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys. The outer portion of the adrenal gland (the adrenal cortex) produces hormones called corticosteroids. When these corticosteroids are blocked from being made, they are not able to signal the body to produce other hormones such as estrogen, androgens, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids. The resulting decrease of estrogens and androgens interferes with the stimulation of cancer growth in tumors that are influenced by these hormones. Note: We strongly encourage you to talk with your health care professional about your specific medical condition and treatments. The information contained in this website is meant to be helpful and educational, but is not a substitute for medical advice. Chemocare.com is a program of the Scott Hamilton CARES initiative
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Last Updated on Thursday, 21 January 2010 09:10 |