Abiraterone

Pronounced

"A-bir-A-ter-one"

Common brand names:

Zytiga

Uses

This medication is used to treat prostate cancer. Abiraterone belongs to a class of drugs known as anti-androgens (anti-testosterone). Testosterone, a natural hormone, helps prostate cancer to grow and spread. Abiraterone works by blocking the production of testosterone, thereby slowing the growth and spread of prostate cancer.

This medication should not be given to women or children.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking abiraterone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Different brands of this medication may have different dosing directions. Do not change brands of this medication without your doctor's direction.

Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Do not eat food for 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking this medication. Taking this medication with food increases the amount of this drug in your body and increases the risk of side effects. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not crush or chew the tablets.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, lab results, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Do not stop any medications for your prostate cancer unless told to do so by your doctor. Stopping your medications could allow the cancer to spread more rapidly.

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse (such as urination becomes more difficult, bone pain increases).

Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the tablets.

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