Abiraterone

Description

Abiraterone is an anticancer drug used in men along with another drug called prednisone for the treatment of prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is generally used in patients who are not responding to other treatment options.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Abiraterone

  • Hypersensitivity
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Swelling of ankles or feet
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Increased cholesterol and triglycerides
  • Anemia
  • Hypokalemia

Uses of Abiraterone

What is it prescribed for?

  • Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in women.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in women.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to abiraterone or any other components present along with it.

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in women.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in women.
General warnings

Use in pediatrics

This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents.

Use in females

This medicine is not recommended for use in female patients.

Contraception

Effective contraception methods must be used while on treatment with this medicine and until 1 week after stopping the therapy.

Missed Dose

If a dose of Abiraterone is missed, skip the missed dose and continue the normal dosing schedule from the next day. If more than one dose is missed, contact the doctor and follow the instructions of your doctor.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Carbamazepine

Loperamide

Tamoxifen

Leflunomide

Rifampicin

Edoxaban

Oxycodone

Fosphenytoin

Disease interactions

Hepatic impairment

Abiraterone should be used with extreme caution in patients with severe hepatotoxicity. Close monitoring of the liver function and liver enzymes is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.

Cardiovascular disease

Caution is advised while using this medicine in patients with a history of myocardial infarction or water retention due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects such as increased blood pressure and arrhythmias. Close monitoring of heart function, vital signs, and electrolytes levels is recommended for such patients.
Food interactions
It is advised to take this medicine on an empty stomach due to the increased risk of adverse effects such as a high blood pressure, muscle weakness, paralysis, and breathing difficulties when this medicine is taken along with food. Do not have food for at least 2 hours before and for at least 1 hour after taking the dose of Abiraterone.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Abiraterone as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous

To be taken on an empty stomach

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
Abiraterone works by lowering the levels of certain natural hormones in the body. This helps in slowing down the growth of the cancer cells.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Antiandrogens, Hormonal antineoplastic agents

Schedule

N/A

DailyMed - ZYTIGA- abiraterone acetate tablet ZYTIGA- abiraterone acetate tablet, film coated [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 19 August 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=4e338e89-3cf2-48eb-b6e2-a06c608c6513&audience=consumer

Abiraterone: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 19 August 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611046.html

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 19 August 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/PIL.32867.latest.pdf

Abiraterone - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 19 August 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB05812

Abiraterone [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 19 August 2017]. Available from:

http://www.snomedbrowser.com/Codes/Details/699678007

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 19 August 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database

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Information on this page was last updated on 30 Aug 2017

Disclaimer

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