Question about Lysodren

[Susan]

I just knew I'd have another question...but thats how you learn. I was told to use latex gloves when handling Lysodren. Why is that? What is Lysodren made of? How would it effect me if I touched it?

Thanks
Dukies mom, Susan

[Kate]

Yes, I've heard that too. I think that it's because they don't want the coating of the Lysodren pill or pieces of it (if you break it) to get absorbed into your skin or blood stream some how, which would then have a small chance of affecting your adrenal glands. I don't wear gloves when handling Lysodren, I just be very careful- keeping my hands washed, and keeping the area cleaned where I handle it. See what others have to say about the topic.
-Kate

[mom2misty]

I have used gloves, but anymore I just use tweezers to
pick the pills up and put them in the pill splitter, then use
the tweezers to place the dose in a small piece of cheese.
I would probably use gloves though if I was handling a large
amount, but I only split 1/4 tab at a time, cause Misty only
takes 1/8 at a time.:rolleyes

Shelba

[Dennismom]

At first I didn't know to use gloves, but I'd wash my hands aftwerwards. But every time I handled it, even one, I would get a tingling around my mouth. I'd cough for a while, and I'd get a weird taste in my throat.

I asked my vet about using gloves. She said it wouldn't hurt, but that she was not aware of any warning. Now I use gloves and don't have those reactions. Does anyone know what it would do if it did get in the bloodstream?

I like the idea I just read of using tweezers. I think it would be easier than the gloves.

The pills must be awful. Dennis almost hates to eat now because it means a pill's coming. Even with PB he hates it. He won't eat PB any more.

[Audrey]

I believe that Lysodren is used in humans as a chemotherapy drug for adrenal cancer. I expect it would be used after surgical removal of the gland to make sure there was no remaining adrenal tissue that might be cancerous. (I'm just guessing here, though.)

As long as you're careful about handling the pills and wash your hands afterwards, I think it would probably be difficult to absorb enough through your skin to really cause a problem for your own adrenal glands. To my recollection, there's no warning about this on the bottle, either. However, if you're concerned, or are unusually sensitive to it like Dennis' mom seems to be, it can't hurt to wear gloves.

Audrey