Abiraterone

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
Antiandrogen	Zytiga®	Cancer-related

Abiraterone - What is it for

Abiraterone is a medicine given to patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer. It works by decreasing the amount of androgens in your body and is usually given with prednisolone.

Abiraterone - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Abiraterone cause?

Joint and muscle pain and weakness
Swelling of the leg or feet
Hot flushes
Headache, giddiness
Diarrhea or heartburn
High blood pressure
Increased blood sugar levels

Inform your doctor if any of the following occurs:

Excessive giddiness, weakness, light-headedness or confusion
Severe headache
Severe muscle or joint pain
Severe leg or feet swelling
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Fever (>37.5°C) accompanied by flu-like symptoms
Pain on urination
Yellowing of the skin or eyes, or having dark tea-coloured urine

Before taking Abiraterone , what precautions must I follow?

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you:

Are on any other medicines e.g. warfarin
Have any other medical conditions e.g. heart problems, high blood pressure

Use effective birth control during treatment and for at least 1 week after stopping treatment

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Abiraterone ?

Abiraterone - Dosage and How to Use

How should Abiraterone be used?

It is a tablet taken by mouth, once daily on an empty stomach i.e. either 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. You may take it with a glass of water or juice.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Abiraterone, skip the missed dose and go back to your usual dosing time. Do not make up for the missed dose by taking 2 doses at once.