Zytiga

The usual recommended adult dose of Zytiga (Abiraterone) is 1,000 mg taken by mouth once daily. Zytiga (Abiraterone) is usually taken along with another medication called prednisone.

Zytiga (Abiraterone) must be taken on an empty stomach. Do not eat any solid food or drink any liquids for 2 hours before taking Zytiga (Abiraterone) or for at least 1 hour after taking Zytiga (Abiraterone). Taking Zytiga (Abiraterone) with food causes the medication to be absorbed into the body quickly and may cause increased side effects. Swallow the medication whole with water. Do not break or crush the tablets.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Zytiga (Abiraterone) exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Zytiga (Abiraterone) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause joint pain; it may increase your blood pressure; it may cause muscle pain; it could cause water retention and swelling. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

250 mg
Each uncoated, white-to-off-white oval tablet, debossed with "AA250" on one side, contains 250 mg of Zytiga (Abiraterone). Nonmedicinal ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium stearate, and colloidal silicon dioxide.

500 mg
Each film-coated, purple, oval tablet debossed with "AA" on one side and "500" on the other contains 500 mg of Zytiga (Abiraterone). Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, silicified microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium lauryl sulfate. Film coating: iron oxide black, iron oxide red, macrogol 3350, polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.

Who should not take Zytiga (Abiraterone)?

Do not take Zytiga (Abiraterone) if you:

• are allergic to Zytiga (Abiraterone) or any ingredients of the medication
• are or may be pregnant

Do not take Zytiga (Abiraterone) if you:

• are allergic to Zytiga (Abiraterone) or any ingredients of the medication
• are or may be pregnant

There may be an interaction between Zytiga (Abiraterone) and any of the following:

• alpha-blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• Amiodarone
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine)
• anticancer medications (e.g., Dacarbazine, Docetaxel, Doxorubicin, Etoposide, Ifosfamide, Irinotecan, Mitotane, Paclitaxel, Vincristine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Pimozide, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Apalutamide
• Atomoxetine
• Bosentan
• Carbamazepine
• Captopril
• Carvedilol
• Codeine
• Deferasirox
• Dextromethorphan
• Eliglustat
• Enzalutamide
• Flecainide
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (e.g., efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• lidocaine
• lumacaftor and Ivacaftor
• Maprotiline
• Metoclopramide
• Metoprolol
• Mexiletine
• Modafinil
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Propafenone
• Propranolol
• Repaglinide
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Ropinirole
• St. John's wort
• Sarilumab
• Spironolactone
• Tamoxifen
• Tetrabenazine
• Timolol
• Tocilizumab
• Tolterodine
• Tramadol
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Trimipramine)
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., Bosutinib, imatinib, Nilotinib, Sunitinib)

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Zytiga (Abiraterone). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Zytiga (Abiraterone).

Fluid and electrolyte balance: Zytiga (Abiraterone) may cause your body to retain fluid and the level of potassium in your blood to change while taking Zytiga (Abiraterone). If you experience symptoms of fluid and low potassium levels such as muscle weakness, muscle twitches, or a pounding, racing heartbeat, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the levels of the electrolytes in your blood while you are taking Zytiga (Abiraterone).

Heart disease: The effects of Zytiga (Abiraterone) on people with heart disease have not been studied. Zytiga (Abiraterone) can cause increased blood pressure and fluid retention, which may affect how well your heart works. If you have a history of heart disease, discuss with your doctor how Zytiga (Abiraterone) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Zytiga (Abiraterone), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Zytiga (Abiraterone) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, discuss with your doctor how Zytiga (Abiraterone) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Zytiga (Abiraterone), and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor may want to test your liver function regularly with blood tests while you are taking Zytiga (Abiraterone).

Zytiga (Abiraterone) may reduce liver function and can cause liver failure. If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.

Muscle effects: In rare cases, serious muscle damage has been associated with the use of Zytiga (Abiraterone). Your risk may be increased if you are taking other medications which can cause this effect (i.e., "statin" cholesterol-lowering medications). Report any unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, weakness or cramps, or any brown or discoloured urine to your doctor immediately, particularly if you are also experiencing malaise (a general feeling of being unwell) or Fever.

Pregnancy: Zytiga (Abiraterone) should not be used by women. It is not known if Zytiga (Abiraterone) is found in semen. If you are engaged in sexual activity with a pregnant woman, a condom should be used. If you are engaged in sexual activity with a woman who may become pregnant, a condom and a second effective method of birth control should be used. Condoms must be used during treatment with Zytiga (Abiraterone) and for one week after treatment has ended.

Due to the way that Zytiga (Abiraterone) works, it is possible that exposure to Zytiga (Abiraterone) during pregnancy may harm the developing baby. To prevent accidental exposure to Zytiga (Abiraterone), women who handle these tablets should wear gloves.

Breast-feeding: Zytiga (Abiraterone) should not be used by women. It is not known if Zytiga (Abiraterone) passes into breast milk. To prevent accidental exposure to Zytiga (Abiraterone), women who handle these tablets should wear gloves.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Zytiga (Abiraterone) have not been established for children.

This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. This medication should be swallowed whole. It should not be split, crushed or chewed. It must be used regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Be sure to keep an adequate supply on hand. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication should not be taken with food. It is best taken on an empty stomach, one hour before or 2 hours after a meal.