CYTADREN, AMINOGLUTETHIMIDE TABLETS USP, IS AN INHIBITOR OF ADRENOCORTICAL STEROID SYNTHESIS. CYTADREN INHIBITS THE ENZYMATIC CONVERSION OF CHOLESTEROL TO ?5-PREGNENOLONE, RESULTING IN A DECREASE IN THE PRODUCTION OF ADRENAL GLUCOCORTICOIDS, MINERALOCORTICOIDS, ESTROGENS, AND ANDROGENS.
CYTADREN BLOCKS SEVERAL OTHER STEPS IN STEROID SYNTHESIS, INCLUDING THE C-11, C-18, AND C-21 HYDROXYLATIONS AND THE HYDROXYLATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE AROMATIZATION OF ANDROGENS TO ESTROGENS, MEDIATED THROUGH THE BINDING OF CYTADREN TO CYTOCHROME P-450 COMPLEXES.
CYTADREN MAY CAUSE ADRENOCORTICAL HYPOFUNCTION, ESPECIALLY UNDER CONDITIONS OF STRESS, SUCH AS SURGERY, TRAUMA, OR ACUTE ILLNESS. PATIENTS SHOULD BE CAREFULLY MONITORED AND GIVEN HYDROCORTISONE AND MINERALOCORTICOID SUPPLEMENTS AS INDICATED