Abiraterone (By mouth)

a-bir-A-ter-one AS-e-tate

Treats prostate cancer. This medicine is given with prednisone.

Drug classes

Antiandrogen (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Note: Women of childbearing potential should not use or handle abiraterone tablets without protection (e.g., gloves).

Abiraterone is used in combination with prednisone to treat patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (prostate cancer that is resistant to medical or surgical treatments that lower testosterone and has already spread to other parts of the body). This medicine is used in patients who have received cancer treatments, such as docetaxel.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Tablet

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Do not eat 2 hours before or 1 hour after you take this medicine.

Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Missed dose: Take your normal dose on the following day. If you miss more than one dose, call your doctor right away.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some medicines can affect how abiraterone works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

Carbamazepine Dextromethorphan Phenobarbital Phenytoin Pioglitazone Rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine Thioridazine

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to abiraterone.

Warnings

Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not touch this medicine without wearing gloves.

This medicine may cause birth defects if a man is using it when his partner becomes pregnant. Use a condom plus another form of birth control during treatment and for 1 week after the last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while you are taking this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, a history of adrenal problems, high blood pressure, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, or recently had a heart attack.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

High blood pressure Low potassium levels Adrenal problems Liver problems

Do not stop using this medicine even for a short time without asking your doctor.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments. You will need to have your blood pressure measured before you begin to take this medicine and while you are taking it.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Dark freckles, skin color changes, coldness, weakness, tiredness, weight loss

Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting

Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Change in how much or how often you urinate, difficult or painful urination, red or pink urine

Cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat

Diarrhea or upset stomach

Joint or muscle pain, weakness, or swelling

Warmth or redness in your face, neck, arms, or upper chest

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Zytiga

There may be other brand names for this medicine.