Abiraterone

 Abiraterone

Generic name: abiraterone acetate [ A-bir-A-te-rone ]
Brand names: Yonsa, Zytiga
Dosage form: oral tablet (125 mg; 250 mg; 500 mg)
Drug class: Miscellaneous antineoplastics

What is abiraterone?

Abiraterone works by reducing androgen production in the body. Androgens are male hormones that can promote tumor growth in the prostate gland.

Abiraterone is used together with steroid medication (prednisone or methylprednisolone) to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. abiraterone is used in men whose prostate cancer cannot be treated with surgery or other medicines.

It is not known if abiraterone acetate tablets are safe or effective in females or children.

Warnings

Abiraterone tablets should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. This medicine can harm an unborn baby or cause miscarriage.

You should not use abiraterone if you are allergic to it.

Before taking this medicine

Abiraterone is not for use by women or children.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;

• diabetes (especially if you use pioglitazone or repaglinide);

• heart problems, high blood pressure;

• a heart attack;

• low levels of potassium in your blood; or

• problems with your adrenal gland or pituitary gland.

Abiraterone can harm an unborn baby if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. An abiraterone tablet should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or may become pregnant. The medicine from a broken tablet could be absorbed through the skin.

Abiraterone can also harm an unborn baby if the father is taking this medicine at the time of conception or during pregnancy.

Use effective birth control if your sex partner is pregnant or able to get pregnant. Keep using birth control for at least 3 weeks after your last dose.

How should I take abiraterone?

Take abiraterone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Abiraterone is usually taken once per day while also taking a steroid 1 or 2 times per day. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Your abiraterone dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using only the medicine your doctor prescribes.

Your prednisone or methylprednisolone dose needs may change if you have an infection or are under stress. Do not change your dose or stop using your steroid medicine without your doctor's advice.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

You may take Yonsa with or without food.

Take Zytiga on an empty stomach. Do not eat anything for at least 2 hours before and 1 hour after you take Zytiga.

Swallow the tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often, and you may need frequent blood tests. If you have diabetes, your blood sugar should be checked carefully, especially if you take pioglitazone or repaglinide.

You should not stop using abiraterone or your steroid medicine suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your prednisone dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Prostate Cancer:

Metastatic CRPC:
-Regular formulation: 1000 mg orally once daily (in combination with methylprednisolone 5 mg orally 2 times daily)
-Micronized formulation: 500 mg orally once daily (in combination with methylprednisolone 4 mg orally 2 times daily)

Metastatic high-risk CSPC:
-Regular formulation: 1000 mg orally once daily (in combination with methylprednisolone 5 mg orally once daily)
-Micronized formulation: 500 mg orally once daily (in combination with methylprednisolone 4 mg orally 2 times a day)

Comments:
-Patients receiving this drug should also receive a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog concurrently or should have had bilateral orchiectomy.
NOTE: Different abiraterone acetate formulations have different indications and different dosing. Below are suggested dosing guidelines. Refer to the manufacturer product information before prescribing this drug.

Uses:
In combination with prednisone for the treatment of patients with:
-Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)
-Metastatic high-risk castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC)

Abiraterone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to abiraterone: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• swelling in your ankles or feet, pain in your legs;

• fast or irregular heartbeats;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;

• pain or burning when you urinate;

• low red blood cells (anemia) - pale skin, tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet;

• low blood potassium - leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling;

• liver problems - stomach pain (upper right side), nausea, vomiting, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

• low blood sugar - headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky.