Zytiga Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Zytiga Tablet contains the active ingredient abiraterone acetate, an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is always taken together with a steroid medicine called prednisone or prednisolone. Zytiga works by lowering testosterone levels in the body, which helps slow the growth of prostate cancer cells.

What is Zytiga Tablet

Zytiga contains the active ingredient abiraterone acetate. It belongs to a group of medicines called androgen biosynthesis inhibitors and is used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is always taken together with another medicine called prednisone or prednisolone.

Zytiga Tablet uses

• Treats prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer)
• Treats newly diagnosed high-risk prostate cancer that has spread and is still responding to hormone therapy (metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer), combined with hormone-lowering treatment

Benefits of Zytiga Tablet

• Can lower PSA levels in many patients
• Can lengthen survival and delay cancer progression compared with placebo in clinical studies
• Can delay the need for chemotherapy and reduce cancer-related pain over time

How Zytiga Tablet works

Zytiga is changed by the body into abiraterone, which blocks an enzyme called CYP17. This enzyme is needed to make androgens (male hormones like testosterone) in the testicles, adrenal glands, and tumor tissue. By blocking this enzyme, the medicine lowers testosterone levels, which helps slow the growth of prostate cancer.

Zytiga Tablet dosage

• Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Take it as a single dose once a day.
• Do not take this medicine with food — take it on an empty stomach.
• Take it at least two hours after eating, and do not eat for at least one hour after taking it. 
• Swallow the tablets whole with water — do not break, crush, or chew them.

This medicine is taken together with a steroid medicine called prednisone or prednisolone every day; do not stop taking the steroid unless your doctor tells you to. Try to take your dose at the same time each day. If you miss a daily dose, take your normal dose the next day; do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one — if you miss more than one day's dose in a row, talk to your doctor. This medicine is not for use in women or children.

Available forms and strengths

• 250 mg uncoated tablet
• 500 mg film-coated tablet

Side effects of Zytiga Tablet

Common

• Diarrhoea
• Fluid in legs and feet (swelling)
• Urinary tract infection
• High blood pressure
• Bone fractures
• Fatigue/tiredness
• Joint pain or swelling
• Hot flushes
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cough
• Headache
• Indigestion

Serious

• Signs of low blood potassium: muscle weakness, muscle twitches, heart palpitations
• Serious allergic reaction (difficulty swallowing or breathing, swollen face, lips, tongue or throat, itchy rash)
• High fat levels in the blood
• Blood in urine
• Chest pain
• Heart beat disorders (irregular heartbeat)
• Heart failure
• Rapid heart rate
• Liver function test increases
• Liver failure (yellowing of skin or eyes, darkening of urine, severe nausea or vomiting)
• Adrenal gland problems
• Muscle pains, myopathy, or muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)
• Severe low blood sugar in people with diabetes

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take this medicine together with a radiation treatment called Xofigo (radium-223), as this combination is linked to a higher risk of bone fractures and death.
• This medicine can cause liver problems, which are rare but can be severe and even fatal. Your doctor will check your liver with blood tests before and during treatment.
• This medicine can cause high blood pressure, low blood potassium, and fluid retention, which can be serious, especially in people with heart problems. You will take a steroid medicine to help lower this risk, and your doctor will monitor your blood pressure, potassium, and signs of fluid buildup regularly.
• If you have diabetes and take certain diabetes medicines, this medicine may cause your blood sugar to drop dangerously low. Tell your doctor if you monitor your blood sugar and notice it dropping.
• Do not stop taking the steroid medicine (prednisone or prednisolone) suddenly, as this can cause adrenal gland problems, especially during times of illness or stress.
• This medicine is not for use in women, including during pregnancy, since it may harm an unborn baby. Men taking this medicine must use a condom during sex, and an additional birth control method if their partner could become pregnant. This medicine is not for use in women, including while breastfeeding.
• No dose change is usually needed for kidney problems, but caution is advised in people with severe kidney impairment since there isn't much experience in these patients.
• This medicine should not be used by people with severe liver failure. Caution is needed in people with moderate liver problems, and your doctor may need to monitor your liver more closely or reduce your dose.
• This medicine is not thought to affect your ability to drive or use machines, but be careful until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• 250 mg tablet bottle: Store below 25°C. Keep the bottle tightly closed to protect from moisture.
• 500 mg tablet blister pack: Store below 30°C. Keep the blister strips inside their carton.
• Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight — do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date.
• If you no longer need the medicine or it is out of date, take it to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

When to see a doctor

• Stop taking this medicine and see a doctor right away if you notice muscle weakness, muscle twitches, or a pounding or irregular heartbeat, as these can be signs of low blood potassium.
• Get emergency medical help right away for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty swallowing or breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or an itchy rash.
• Tell your doctor right away if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe nausea or vomiting, as these can be signs of liver problems.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, you may need urgent medical attention even if you feel fine. Contact your doctor or go to the emergency department right away.

Alternatives

• Enzalutamide
• Apalutamide
• Darolutamide