Aminoglutethimide/Dexamethasone Interactions

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.

Medical warning:

Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.

How the interaction occurs:

The cause of the interaction is not known. When these two medicines are taken together, aminoglutethimide may cause less dexamethasone to be available for use by your body.

What might happen:

The beneficial effects of dexamethasone may decrease.

What you should do about this interaction:

If you experience any unexpected symptoms, contact your doctor. Your doctor may need to monitor your progress on a more frequent basis. It may be necessary to adjust your dose of dexamethasone or to change you to a different medicine. Your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

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  • 2.Santen RJ, Lipton A, Kendall J. Successful medical adrenalectomy with amino-glutethimide. Role of altered drug metabolism. JAMA 1974 Dec 23-30; 230(12):1661-5.
  • 3.Santen RJ, Wells SA, Runic S, Gupta C, Kendall J, Rudy EB, Samojlik E. Adrenal suppression with aminoglutethimide. I. Differential e-fects of aminoglutethimide on glucocorticoid metabolism as a rationale for use of hydrocortisone. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1977 Sep;45(3):469-79.
  • 4.Halpern J, Catane R, Baerwald H. A call for caution in the use of aminoglutethimide: negative interactions with dexamethasone and beta blocker treatment. J Med 1984;15(1):59-63.
  • 5.Kvinssland S, Lonning PE, Ueland PM. Aminoglutethimide as an inducer of microsomal enzymes. Part 1: Pharmacological aspects. Breast Cancer Res Treat 1986;7 Suppl:S73-6.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.