Abiraterone
About Abiraterone
Abiraterone is a prescription medication used to treat advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is typically prescribed for prostate cancer that no longer responds to medical or surgical treatments that lower testosterone, or for high-risk cancer that is still sensitive to hormone therapy. This medicine is almost always taken in combination with a low-dose steroid, such as prednisone, to help prevent certain side effects.
You should take Abiraterone once a day, consistently at the same time each day, to keep a steady amount of the medicine in your body. It is vital to take this medication on an empty stomach (either at least one hour before eating or two hours after eating), as food can drastically change how your body absorbs it. Alongside your treatment, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes such as a low-salt diet to help manage fluid levels and regular tracking of your blood pressure.
Many patients experience mild side effects while taking this medication, such as joint pain, hot flushes, or mild swelling in the legs. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects like severe muscle weakness, chest pain, or yellowing of your skin or eyes. Your healthcare team will monitor your health closely to ensure the treatment is working safely.
Before starting this treatment, tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, low potassium levels, or liver damage. Do not take this if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as it can cause severe harm to an unborn baby. In fact, women who are pregnant or of childbearing age should not handle these tablets without wearing protective gloves.
Abiraterone can interact with other medicines, especially those processed by your liver, which may change how these treatments work or increase side effects. It is also wise to limit alcohol intake while taking this medicine to avoid putting extra stress on your liver. While this medicine is not intended for use in women, elderly individuals should discuss their heart health with their doctor, as they may be more sensitive to fluid retention and high blood pressure.
Uses of Abiraterone
Medicinal Benefits
Abiraterone can help control advanced prostate cancer by reducing the hormones that support cancer growth. When used with the other treatments prescribed by your doctor, it can provide important long-term benefits.
- Slows disease progression: By keeping androgen levels very low, Abiraterone can delay the growth and spread of prostate cancer and help keep the disease under control for longer.
- Helps people live longer: In appropriate patients with advanced prostate cancer, treatment with Abiraterone has been shown to improve survival when used as part of the recommended treatment regimen.
- Delays worsening of cancer-related problems: Controlling the cancer may delay complications and symptoms caused by disease progression, helping maintain daily functioning and quality of life for longer.
Directions for Use
- Abiraterone can be taken on an empty stomach, i.e., 1 hour before or 2 hours after food.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow Abiraterone as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Abiraterone
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Joint swelling or pain
- Hot flushes
- Diarrhoea
- Cough or shortness of breath
- Mild fluid retention (slight swelling in the ankles)
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe nausea and vomiting
- Signs of heart strain, including chest pain, rapid heart rate, or difficulty breathing
- Severe fluid retention, marked by rapid weight gain or severe swelling in your legs and feet
- Signs of low potassium levels, such as muscle weakness, spasms, or a fluttering heart
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Never take with food: Taking this medicine with even a small amount of food can cause your body to absorb dangerous amounts of the medication, increasing your risk of severe side effects.
- Do not stop your steroid: Never stop taking your prescribed prednisone or prednisolone suddenly, as this can cause your body's hormone balance to drop to dangerous levels.
- Wear gloves if handling: If a family member or caregiver who is pregnant or of childbearing age must handle these tablets, they must wear protective gloves.
- Keep up with blood tests: Attend all scheduled appointments for blood tests, as your doctor needs to regularly monitor your liver enzymes, potassium levels, and blood pressure.
- Use protection during intimacy: You must use a condom during sexual activity if your partner is pregnant, and use a condom plus another highly effective birth control method if your partner can become pregnant, continuing this for at least one week after your last dose.
Drug Interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (like rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine): May decrease the levels of Abiraterone in your body, making the treatment less effective.
- CYP2D6 substrates with a narrow safety range (like thioridazine): Abiraterone can increase the levels of these drugs in your body, potentially causing dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all other medicines you take.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorIt is unknown if alcohol affects Abiraterone. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
unsafeAbiraterone is not for use in women.
Breast Feeding
not applicableAbiraterone is not for use in women.
Driving
safe if prescribedAbiraterone is not likely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionDo not take Abiraterone if you have severe liver damage. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns.
Kidney
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns.
Children
not applicableAbiraterone is not for use in children and adolescents.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Monitor your sodium intake: Stick to a low-salt diet to help minimise the risk of fluid retention and high blood pressure, which are common concerns during this treatment.
- Support your bone health: Because hormone therapy can weaken bones, discuss taking calcium and vitamin D supplements with your doctor, and consume calcium-rich foods like leafy greens.
- Stay active safely: Engage in regular, gentle weight-bearing exercises like walking or light strength training to preserve muscle mass, support bone strength, and fight fatigue.
- Track your vitals: Keep a daily log of your blood pressure and weight. A sudden, unexplained weight gain can be a sign of fluid buildup and should be reported to your doctor.
Special Advise
- Abiraterone may affect the liver. Therefore your doctor may advise regular blood tests to check for any effects on the liver.
- Tell your doctor if you experience darkening of the urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or severe vomiting or nausea, as these could be signs of liver problems.
- Abiraterone may cause low blood potassium. Stop taking Abiraterone and consult a doctor immediately if you experience muscle twitches, muscle weakness, or palpitations (pounding heartbeat).
- Use a condom or effective birth control method if you are having sex with pregnant women or women who can become pregnant.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer, also called prostatic carcinoma, is cancer in the prostate gland (a gland that produces seminal fluid). Symptoms include difficulty with urination, weak or interrupted flow of urine, trouble emptying the bladder completely, and pain or burning during urination.
FAQs
Abiraterone is used to treat Prostate cancer.
Abiraterone works by stopping the body from making testosterone, thereby slowing the growth of prostate cancer.
Prednisolone/prednisone is prescribed along with Abiraterone to lower the chances of getting high blood pressure, fluid retention (having too much water in the body), or low blood potassium levels.
Abiraterone should not be given along with Ra-233 (a radioactive isotope used to treat prostate cancer) due to the increased risk of bone fracture or death. If you are prescribed to take Ra-233 following treatment with Abiraterone and prednisolone/prednisone, you must wait five days before starting treatment with Ra-233.
No, Abiraterone cannot cure prostate cancer. However, it is used to manage advanced or metastatic prostate cancer that works by inhibiting the production of testosterone, thereby preventing the growth and spread of cancer.
No, Abiraterone is not a chemotherapy drug. It is a hormone therapy medication, which reduces testosterone levels to help manage prostate cancer.
Yes, Abiraterone may affect the liver. Therefore, the doctor may advise regular blood tests to monitor its effects on the liver.
For patients taking Abiraterone liver investigations are recommended. However, the frequency may differ for each individual and can be determined by the doctor based on your medical condition.
Abiraterone can be taken orally on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before a meal or 2 hours after the meal. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Do not chew or break it.
The side effects of Abiraterone include oedema, urinary tract infection, high blood pressure, low blood potassium, and diarrhoea. Consult the doctor if any of these symptoms persist or worsen.
Taking this medicine with food causes your body to absorb significantly more of the drug than it needs, which can lead to dangerous side effects like very high blood pressure or severe liver damage. Always take it at least one hour before or two hours after eating. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble managing this schedule.
This medicine is typically taken for as long as it continues to control your prostate cancer and does not cause unacceptable side effects. Your doctor will perform regular check-ups and blood tests to decide how long your treatment should continue. Talk to your doctor to understand your specific treatment plan.
No, this medication is only prescribed for men with advanced prostate cancer. It must not be taken by women, especially those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as it can cause severe harm to an unborn baby or nursing infant. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about who can use this medication.
Muscle weakness, cramping, or a fluttering heartbeat can be signs of low potassium levels in your blood, which is a known side effect of this treatment. You should contact your healthcare provider right away so they can check your blood levels and advise you on the next steps. Talk to your doctor before taking any potassium supplements.
It is highly recommended to limit or avoid alcohol during your treatment, as both alcohol and Abiraterone are processed by your liver. Combining them can increase the risk of liver strain or damage. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see if it is safe for you to consume alcohol in moderation.
You will need regular blood tests (usually at least once a month) to check your liver function and monitor your potassium and hormone levels. Your doctor will also check your blood pressure and monitor you for any signs of fluid retention. Talk to your doctor to schedule these essential health checks.
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