Drug Interactions between mitotane and modafinil

High fat food significantly enhances the absorption of mitotane. You should take each dose of mitotane with a full meal containing high fat (e.G., containing milk, chocolate, or oil) and with a full glass of water. Taking mitotane on an empty stomach may lead to inadequate blood levels and reduced effectiveness of the medication. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or have difficulty taking mitotane with food. It is best to avoid or limit the consumption of alcohol, as it can increase drowsiness or other nervous system side effects of mitotane. You should also avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.

The use of CNS stimulants can cause psychotic symptoms, suicidal ideation, and aggression, and can exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder; CNS stimulants may induce a manic or mixed episode in patients with bipolar disorder. Psychiatric symptoms have been reported in patients with and without history of psychiatric disorders. All patients (particularly those with psychotic or bipolar disorders) should be monitored closely, especially during treatment initiation and at times of dose changes. Extreme caution should be exercised when CNS stimulants are given to patients with a history of psychosis, depression, mania, or bipolar disorder. Prior to initiating therapy, all patients should be screened for risk factors for developing a manic episode (e.g., comorbid or history of depressive symptoms or family history of suicide, bipolar disease, or depression). If any psychiatric symptoms emerge or are exacerbated, treatment suspension should be considered. Some CNS stimulants are contraindicated in patients with marked agitation or anxiety.

CNS stimulants increase blood pressure and heart rate; the use of some agents may be contraindicated in patients with severe/uncontrolled hypertension. Caution should be used when administering to patients with preexisting high blood pressure (even mild hypertension) and other cardiovascular conditions. All patients under treatment should be regularly monitored for potential tachycardia and hypertension.

Mitotane inhibits production of corticosteroids and alters extra-adrenal metabolism of endogenous and exogenous steroids. All patients treated with mitotane should be instructed to immediately report signs and symptoms of infection or other illnesses. Therapy with mitotane should be withheld immediately following shock or severe trauma or infection. Exogenous steroids should be administered since the suppressed adrenal may not immediately begin to secrete steroids.

The use of CNS stimulants can cause psychotic symptoms, suicidal ideation, and aggression, and can exacerbate symptoms of behavior disturbance and thought disorder; CNS stimulants may induce a manic or mixed episode in patients with bipolar disorder. Psychiatric symptoms have been reported in patients with and without history of psychiatric disorders. All patients (particularly those with psychotic or bipolar disorders) should be monitored closely, especially during treatment initiation and at times of dose changes. Extreme caution should be exercised when CNS stimulants are given to patients with a history of psychosis, depression, mania, or bipolar disorder. Prior to initiating therapy, all patients should be screened for risk factors for developing a manic episode (e.g., comorbid or history of depressive symptoms or family history of suicide, bipolar disease, or depression). If any psychiatric symptoms emerge or are exacerbated, treatment suspension should be considered. Some CNS stimulants are contraindicated in patients with marked agitation or anxiety.

Mitotane inhibits production of corticosteroids and alters extra-adrenal metabolism of endogenous and exogenous steroids. All patients treated with mitotane should be instructed to immediately report signs and symptoms of infection or other illnesses. Therapy with mitotane should be withheld immediately following shock or severe trauma or infection. Exogenous steroids should be administered since the suppressed adrenal may not immediately begin to secrete steroids.

Patients with a history of drug and/or stimulant abuse should be closely followed during treatment with modafinil. Observe patients for signs of misuse and abuse. Clinical studies indicate modafinil produces psychoactive and euphoric effects/feelings consistent with other CNS stimulants.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Symptoms of depression consisting of lethargy and somnolence have been reported during mitotane therapy. Therapy with mitotane should be administered cautiously to patients with or predisposed to depression. Clinical monitoring of psychological behavior is recommended.

Patients with a history of drug and/or stimulant abuse should be closely followed during treatment with modafinil. Observe patients for signs of misuse and abuse. Clinical studies indicate modafinil produces psychoactive and euphoric effects/feelings consistent with other CNS stimulants.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Modafinil is not recommended for use in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with central nervous system stimulant use. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure is recommended in patients taking modafinil. Caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease and increased monitoring is recommended in patients with a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina.

Exposure to modafinil is increased in patients with liver dysfunction. In patients with severe liver dysfunction, reduce the dose of modafinil to one-half the dose recommended dose.

Mitotane is primarily metabolized by the liver. Metabolism and therapeutic activity may be altered in patients with hepatic impairment. Therapy with mitotane should be administered cautiously in patients with hepatic impairment. Clinical monitoring of hepatic function is recommended.

Ovarian macrocysts, often bilateral and multiple, have been reported in premenopausal patients receiving mitotane which might lead to adnexal torsion and hemorrhagic cyst rupture. It is recommended to use care when using this agent in premenopausal patients and to seek medical care if they experience gynecological symptoms such as vaginal bleeding and/or pelvic pain.

Unspecified brain damage and impairment of function have been reported during prolonged mitotane therapy. Therapy with mitotane should be administered cautiously to patients with neurologic impairment. Clinical monitoring of behavior and neurological function is recommended when continuous mitotane therapy exceeds two years.