Zytiga

Generic name: abiraterone [ A-bir-A-te-rone ]
Drug class: Miscellaneous antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Jane Grigg, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 3, 2021.

What is Zytiga?

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

Zytiga is used together with steroid medication (prednisone or methylprednisolone) to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Zytiga is used in men whose prostate cancer cannot be treated with surgery or other medicines.

Warnings

You should not use Zytiga if you have severe liver disease.

Before you take this medicine, tell your doctor if you have low levels of potassium in your blood, any type of infection, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, or a history of heart disease, fluid retention, recent heart attack, or problems with your adrenal gland or pituitary gland.

Although Zytiga is not for use by women, this medicine can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. The tablets should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant.

While you are taking Zytiga and for at least 1 week after your treatment ends: Use a condom to prevent transfer of this medication to your sexual partner if she is pregnant. Use a condom plus another form of effective birth control if your sexual partner could become pregnant.

Before taking this medicine

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

Zytiga 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. A Zytiga 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 Zytiga?

Zytiga 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.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

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 steroid 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 your dose.

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 Zytiga 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 brands 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 Zytiga.

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 Zytiga?

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 abiraterone your body absorbs and may cause side effects.

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

Zytiga side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zytiga: 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

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

Common Zytiga 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 Zytiga?

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 Zytiga); or

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

This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with 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 Zytiga only for the indication prescribed.

Popular FAQ

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Further information

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

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