Will long-term use of mitotane cause liver damage?

Long-term use of mitotane does carry a risk of liver damage. Mitotane, a drug used to treat conditions such as adrenocortical cancer, works by inhibiting the function of the adrenal cortex. However, long-term use of mitotane may have certain effects on the liver.

Specifically, the metabolism and excretion of mitotane in the body needs to be carried out through the liver. Long-term and large-scale use of mitotane may increase the burden on the liver, lead to liver cell damage, and lead to abnormal liver function. Some studies have shown that mitotane can cause an increase in liver enzyme levels, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), etc. Increases in these enzymes usually mean liver cell damage.

In addition, long-term use of mitotane may also lead to the occurrence of symptoms such as jaundice. Jaundice is a manifestation of abnormal liver function, usually caused by bilirubin metabolism disorders due to liver cell damage.

To reduce the risk of liver damage from mitotane, patients need to take certain precautions and regularly monitor liver function while taking mitotane.

Patients should take mitotane strictly according to the doctor's instructions and do not increase or decrease the dose or stop taking it on their own. Doctors will adjust the drug dosage according to the patient's specific conditions to maximize the drug's efficacy while reducing the occurrence of side effects.

Patients should undergo regular liver function tests, including liver enzyme levels, bilirubin and other indicators. This helps to detect abnormal liver function in time and take appropriate measures to deal with it.

Alcohol has a certain damaging effect on the liver. Long-term heavy drinking will increase the burden on the liver and increase the risk of liver damage with mitotane. Therefore, patients should avoid drinking alcohol while taking mitotane. Patients should be cautious while taking mitotane when using other drugs that may be harmful to the liver. If you need to use other medicines, you should consult your doctor beforehand.

References:

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/drugs/mitotane-lysodren

xa0