ZYTIGA (ABIRATERONE ACETATE)

About Zytiga for Prostate Cancer

Zytiga may be prescribed for men with prostate cancer that has spread to other areas in their body and have already undergone chemotherapy. Many drugs only work to decrease the male hormone called testosterone that is made by the testes.

Drug treatment with Zytiga is only recommended for men whose cancer has progressed after undergoing other treatments. Abiraterone Acetate is taken in combination with a steroid medicine that is given to minimize the chance of a drop in the potassium level in your blood, retaining fluid, or raising blood pressure.

Zytiga, along with Prednisone, has also been approved for the treatment of metastatic high-risk castration-sensitive prostate cancer.

What Zytiga Does in Your Body

Zytiga works by inhibiting a certain enzyme and lowering testosterone produced in the cancer cells and the adrenal gland. The growth of prostate tumors is stimulated by testosterone; hormone therapy and surgery can help to reduce testosterone levels and slow the growth of cancer cells. Your doctor may also recommend taking prednisone along with Zytiga to decrease inflammation or suppress an overactive immune system.

Conditions Treated by Zytiga

The prostate gland is part of the male’s urinary and reproductive system. It surrounds the urethra and its muscle fibers squeeze the urethra to control urine flow, and it produces fluids that are added to semen. Sometimes the cells of the prostate start to grow abnormally and may result in prostate cancer.

The risk of prostate cancer increases at fifty years of age. Many men in their forties are advised to take a prostate-specific antigen blood test to measure the amount of PSA in the blood and use that test to evaluate the risk of prostate cancer as they near the fifty-year mark. Regular exercise and eating healthy can help lower the risk for prostate cancer.

Before You Take Zytiga

Tell your doctor about other medical conditions or allergies you have and provide a list of Rx drugs, OTC medicine, and any herbal remedies or vitamin supplements as taking Zytiga at the same time could cause a negative reaction.

Recommendations and Proper Use of Zytiga

Women should not handle Zytiga if they are pregnant and should not have sex with a man taking Zytiga unless he uses a condom to prevent any harmful effects to an unborn baby or possible loss of pregnancy. Zytiga is passed into body fluids, including semen, urine, feces, and vomit so rubber gloves should be worn by anyone handling contaminated garments or trash.

Zytiga (Abiraterone Acetate) must be taken whole on an empty stomach with water at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking a meal. Keep all medications out of children’s reach and never share with anyone else.

Possible Side Effects of Zytiga

• Nausea/vomiting
• Dizziness
• High blood pressure
• Urinary tract infections