Metyrapone (By mouth)
me-TIR-a-pone
Used in medical tests to diagnose pituitary gland problems.
Drug classes
Diagnostic Agent, Pituitary Function (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Metyrapone is used in the diagnosis of certain problems of the adrenal glands. These glands are located near the kidneys. The adrenal glands produce a steroid chemical called cortisol (hydrocortisone) that helps the body respond to stress or illness. From the results of a metyrapone test, your doctor will be able to tell if your adrenal glands produce the correct amount of cortisol under stress or during illnesses.
How test is done: Metyrapone is taken by mouth in one or more doses the day before the testing is done. The next day, blood and/or urine samples are taken. A tube called a catheter may be placed in your bladder to help take the urine sample. The amount of hormones in your blood or urine is measured. Then the results of the test are studied.
Metyrapone may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Metyrapone is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, metyrapone is used in certain patients with the following medical condition:
Cushing’s syndrome (diagnosis and treatment)
Since treatment for Cushing’s syndrome may require longer therapy, side effects are more likely to occur.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. You will be given this medicine several hours before you have your test.
You may be told to take this medicine with a snack or milk.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using corticosteroids, such as prednisolone, prednisone, dexamethasone, cortisone (Cortone®) or hydrocortisone (Cortef®, Hydrocortone®), or if you are also using phenytoin (Dilantin®). Make sure your doctor knows if you are using estrogens (Alora®, Estrace®, Climara®, Estraderm®, Delestrogen®, Valergen®, Permarin®). These medicines may affect the results of the metyrapone test, and you may need to stop using them before and during your test.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using acetaminophen (aspirin, Tylenol®) on a regular basis.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using insulin or antidiabetic medicines. These medicines include insulin lispro (Humalog®), glipizide (Glucotrol®), glimepiride (Amaryl®), glyburide/metformin (Glucovance®), metformin (Glucophage®), pioglitazone (Actos®), and rosiglitazone (Avandia®).
When Not To Use
You should not be given this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to metyrapone (Metopirone®), or if you have certain adrenal cortical problems.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have adrenal gland problems. Make sure your doctor knows if you have diabetes.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that may be dangerous if you are not alert.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Feeling unusually tired.
Nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Metopirone
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
