Generic name: aripiprazole (oral with sensor) [ AR-i-PIP-ra-zole ]
Brand names: Abilify MyCite Maintenance Kit, Abilify MyCite Starter Kit
Drug class: Atypical antipsychotics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 17, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Abilify MyCite Starter Kit?

Abilify MyCite Starter Kit is an antipsychotic medicine that is used to treat adults with schizophrenia.

Abilify MyCite Starter Kit is used alone or with a mood stabilizer medicine to treat adults with bipolar I disorder (manic depression).

Abilify MyCite Starter Kit is used with antidepressant medication to treat major depressive disorder in adults.

Abilify MyCite Starter Kit may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Abilify MyCite Starter Kit is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood or behavior, or thoughts about suicide.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Abilify MyCite Starter Kit if you are allergic to it.

Abilify MyCite Starter Kit may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems or a stroke;

• high or low blood pressure;

• diabetes (in you or a family member);

• low white blood cell (WBC) counts;

• seizures; or

• trouble swallowing.

People with depression or mental illness may have thoughts about suicide. Some young people may have increased suicidal thoughts when first starting a medicine to treat depression. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

Abilify MyCite Starter Kit can cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels carefully.

Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause serious problems in the newborn. Tell your doctor right away if you get pregnant. Do not stop the medicine without your doctor''s advice.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of aripiprazole on the baby.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using Abilify MyCite Starter Kit.

How should I take Abilify MyCite Starter Kit?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Abilify MyCite is a drug and device system that has 4 parts:

• A MyCite tablet with a sensor inside it.

• A MyCite Patch (to wear on your skin) that detects a signal from the sensor in the tablet after you take it, and sends this information to a smartphone.

• A Mycite App (a smartphone app) that records when you took the tablet, and tracks information about your activity, sleep, and mood.

• An online portal to share information from the MyCite App with your healthcare providers.

The Mycite Patch usually detects a tablet within 30 minutes after you take it. If the tablet is not detected, do not repeat the dose.

It may take up to 2 hours or longer for the smartphone app and online portal to detect that you''ve taken a tablet.

You may take Abilify MyCite Starter Kit with or without food.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis.

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

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, vomiting, aggression, confusion, tremors, fast or slow heart rate, seizure (convulsions), weak or shallow breathing, fainting, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking Abilify MyCite Starter Kit?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Abilify MyCite Starter Kit will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

While you are taking Abilify MyCite Starter Kit, you may be more sensitive to very hot conditions. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise.

Abilify MyCite Starter Kit side effects

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

Abilify MyCite Starter Kit may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe agitation, distress, or restless feeling;

• twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs;

• mask-like appearance of the face, trouble swallowing, problems with speech;

• seizure (convulsions);

• severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;

• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, sore throat, weakness, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, purple or red spots under your skin; or

• high blood sugar--increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.

Common side effects of Abilify MyCite Starter Kit may include:

• feeling shaky, anxious, or restless;

• nausea, constipation;

• dizziness, drowsiness; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Abilify MyCite Starter Kit?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Other drugs may affect Abilify MyCite Starter Kit, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Popular FAQ

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.01.

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

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 3, 2021.

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.

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 or 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)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and take the medicine the following day. Do not take two doses at one time.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss more than one dose of abiraterone.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking abiraterone?

Do not eat food for at least 2 hours before you take Zytiga and for at least 1 hour after your dose. Food can increase the amount of Zytiga your body absorbs and may cause side effects.

Avoid taking an herbal supplement containing St. John''s wort.

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.

Common abiraterone side effects may include:

• feeling very weak or tired;

• feeling very hot;

• high blood sugar;

• increased blood pressure;

• swelling in your legs or feet;

• anemia, low blood potassium;

• painful urination;

• abnormal liver function tests or other blood tests;

• joint pain or swelling;

• headache;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; or

• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect abiraterone?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with abiraterone, especially:

• other prostate cancer medicines, especially radium Ra 223 (may increase your risk of fractures while you are taking abiraterone); or

• pioglitazone or repaglinide to treat diabetes (may cause severe low blood sugar hypoglycemia while you are taking abiraterone.

This list is not complete and many other drugs may affect abiraterone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use abiraterone only for the indication prescribed.

Popular FAQ

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 10.01.