Can I stop taking Mitotane once I start taking it?

Mitotane is a specific drug for adrenocortical cancer. Its mechanism of action mainly works by destroying adrenocortical cells and inhibiting the synthesis of corticosteroids. Due to its long half-life and slow drug accumulation in the body, treatment often requires long-term and regular administration to maintain stable blood concentration, thereby achieving the effect of continuously inhibiting tumor growth and improving the condition.

In clinical practice, once mitotane is started, it is generally not recommended to stop taking it at will. Sudden discontinuation of medication may lead to a rapid decrease in drug concentration in the body, weakening the therapeutic effect, and may also cause adverse reactions such as adrenal insufficiency and corticosteroid deficiency. Therefore, patients must strictly follow the doctor's instructions during the medication period, maintain continuous medication, and regularly monitor blood drug concentration and adrenal function.

If serious side effects or other unavoidable circumstances require dose adjustment or discontinuation of medication, gradual dose reduction or alternative therapy arrangements should be made under the guidance of a professional physician rather than interrupting medication on your own. Gradually reducing the dose can help the body adapt to the decrease in drug concentration and reduce the risk of hormonal disorders and symptom rebound that may occur after stopping the drug.

During long-term use of mitotane, patients should also pay attention to lifestyle and dietary management to assist in the efficacy of the drug. At the same time, patients should undergo regular imaging examinations and blood tests to evaluate the efficacy and timely adjust the treatment plan. Standardized medication use, continuous monitoring and doctor-patient communication are the keys to ensuring the efficacy and safety of mitotane.

Keyword tags:

Mitotane, adrenocortical cancer, long-term use, risk of discontinuation, plasma concentration, dose adjustment, tapering

Reference materials:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547671/