Metyrapone

Metyrapone is used for:

Testing pituitary function.

Metyrapone is a diagnostic aid. It works by blocking the body's natural production of cortisol and corticosterone. This causes the pituitary gland to increase production of corticotropin (ACTH), which causes an increase in the body's production of certain chemicals. These chemicals can be measured in the urine to determine how well the pituitary gland is working.

Do NOT use Metyrapone if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Metyrapone
• you have certain adrenal gland problems (adrenal cortical insufficiency) or are taking a corticosteroid (eg, prednisone)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Metyrapone :

Some medical conditions may interact with Metyrapone . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of adrenal gland or thyroid gland problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Metyrapone . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Insulin or oral hypoglycemics (eg, glyburide) because the side effects of Metyrapone may be increased
• Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), estrogen, or hydantoins (eg, phenytoin) because the effectiveness of Metyrapone may be decreased
• Acetaminophen because the risk of liver toxicity may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Metyrapone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Metyrapone :

Use Metyrapone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Metyrapone with food or milk.
• Do not miss any doses. If you are using Metyrapone for a diagnostic test and miss a dose, contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Metyrapone .

Important safety information:

• Metyrapone may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Metyrapone . Using Metyrapone alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Use Metyrapone with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Metyrapone , discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Metyrapone during pregnancy. It is unknown if Metyrapone is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Metyrapone , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Metyrapone :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); anxiety; confusion; dehydration; diarrhea; fast or irregular heartbeat; severe dizziness or drowsiness; weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include anxiety; confusion; dehydration; diarrhea; fast or irregular heartbeat; severe dizziness or drowsiness; weakness.

Store Metyrapone at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Keep Metyrapone out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Metyrapone , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Metyrapone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Metyrapone . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

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