Abiraterone Acetate
About Abiraterone Acetate
Abiraterone Acetate is a prescription tablet used to treat advanced prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It is prescribed for cancer that no longer responds to surgical or medical treatments that lower testosterone, or for newly diagnosed high-risk cases that are still hormone-sensitive. It is typically taken alongside a steroid medication to help control side effects and keep your body's hormone levels balanced.
You must take Abiraterone Acetate consistently once every day, strictly following the routine set by your healthcare team. You should take this medicine on an empty stomach, meaning at least one hour before eating or two hours after eating, because food dramatically changes how it is absorbed. Incorporating gentle, doctor-approved exercise and eating a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients can also support your physical strength during this treatment.
While using this medication, you may experience common side effects such as joint pain, hot flashes, or feeling unusually tired. It is vital to seek immediate medical advice if you notice signs of liver damage, including dark urine, severe stomach discomfort, or yellowing of your eyes and skin.
Before you start taking Abiraterone Acetate, you must talk to your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, low blood potassium, or liver problems. Pregnant women, or women who may become pregnant, should never take or even handle these tablets, as the active drug can cause severe harm to an unborn child.
This medication can interact with other prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements, which may change how your treatment works or increase your risk of liver damage. Because of this, you should avoid drinking alcohol during treatment, and always discuss your options with your doctor if you are managing other chronic health conditions.
Uses of Abiraterone Acetate
Medicinal Benefits
Abiraterone Acetate offers the following benefits when used as prescribed:
- Slowing Cancer Progression: By stopping the production of the hormones that feed cancer cells, Abiraterone Acetate helps limit the growth of tumours, offering patients more time with stable, managed disease.
- Delaying Severe Bone Pain: As advanced prostate cancer often spreads to the bones, this medicine helps prevent or delay the onset of severe bone pain, helping you maintain better daily mobility and comfort.
- Lowering Cancer Markers: When taken as directed, Abiraterone Acetate works effectively to lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in the blood, which is a key indicator that the therapy is successfully keeping the cancer in check.
Directions for Use
- Abiraterone Acetate can be taken on an empty stomach at least two hours before or after a meal as directed by the doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Abiraterone Acetate as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, chew or crush Abiraterone Acetate.
Storage
Side Effects of Abiraterone Acetate
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Feeling unusually tired or weak
- Hot flashes or sudden sweating
- Joint swelling, stiffness, or muscle pain
- Fluid retention (swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet)
- Mild stomach upset or diarrhea
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of liver damage, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe stomach pain
- Signs of heart strain or high blood pressure, including severe headaches, dizziness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or sudden shortness of breath
- Signs of low potassium levels, such as muscle weakness, spasms, or a fluttering feeling in your chest
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a rash, hives, or swelling of your face, lips, or throat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Do not skip your steroid medication: Abiraterone Acetate must be taken with your prescribed steroid. Stopping the steroid suddenly can cause your body to produce too much of certain hormones, leading to severe high blood pressure or fluid retention.
- Attend all scheduled blood tests: Your doctor will need regular blood samples to closely monitor your liver function and potassium levels while you are on this medicine.
- Use effective barrier protection: If you are sexually active with a woman who is pregnant or could become pregnant, you must use a condom during intercourse and for one week after your last dose of Abiraterone Acetate.
- Handle tablets with care: Ensure that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding do not handle broken or crushed tablets, as the drug can easily be absorbed through the skin.
Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines before using Abiraterone Acetate:
- CYP2D6 substrates: Abiraterone Acetate can increase the levels of certain medications processed by your liver, such as specific blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, or pain relievers, raising the risk of side effects.
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers: Medicines like rifampin or phenytoin can speed up how quickly your body breaks down Abiraterone Acetate, making it less effective against your cancer.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of Abiraterone Acetate with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor if you have concerns.
Pregnancy
not applicableNot intended for women.
Breast Feeding
not applicableNot intended for women.
Driving
cautionAbiraterone Acetate may decrease alertness or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. So, do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking Abiraterone Acetate until your vision improves.
Liver
cautionAbiraterone Acetate should be used with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your condition.
Kidney
cautionAbiraterone Acetate should be used with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust the dose based on your condition.
Children
unsafeAbiraterone Acetate is not recommended for use in children as the safety and efficacy of this medicine are not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Strictly manage your food timing: To prevent dangerous levels of the drug from entering your system, never take Abiraterone Acetate with food. Keep a strict timer for your meals and medication.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily: Because this therapy can cause your body to hold onto water and raise your blood pressure, keep a daily record of your readings to share with your doctor.
- Support your bones: Hormone-blocking therapies can weaken your bones. Speak with your healthcare team about getting enough calcium and vitamin D, or whether you need bone-protecting supplements.
- Stay active with gentle movement: Regular, low-impact exercise like walking can help combat the fatigue caused by cancer treatment and preserve your muscle mass.
Special Advise
- Abiraterone Acetate is not recommended for use in patients suffering from severe hepatotoxicity.
- This medicine may cause laboratory abnormalities like elevated alkaline phosphatase, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, and hypokalemia.
- It is also advised to perform frequent checkups on your potassium, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Prostate cancer: The prostate gland is a small walnut-sized gland present under the bladder which is responsible for the production of seminal fluid. Prostate cancer is a carcinogenic condition that occurs when the cells of the prostate gland increase out of control. The main cause of this condition is unknown. However, a few underlying reasons that increase the risk for this condition include age, family history, ethnic group, genetic factors, obesity, etc.
FAQs
Abiraterone Acetate is used to treat Prostate Cancer.
Abiraterone Acetate contains Abiraterone acetate, which belongs to the class of androgen biosynthesis inhibitors. It works by inhibiting the production of the testosterone hormone and thus stops the growth and spread of cancer.
The common side-effects of Abiraterone Acetate are nausea, dizziness, heartburn, headache, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, joint pain, confusion, hot flushes, loss of appetite, and groin pain. These side effects usually do not require any medical attention.
Inform your doctor if you have a pre-existing or a history of liver/kidney disease, hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, bone disorders, adrenocortical insufficiency, fluid retention and cardiovascular conditions before taking Abiraterone Acetate.
Abiraterone Acetate is not a cure for prostate cancer. However, it helps manage advanced stages by blocking testosterone production, thereby slowing the growth and progression of the cancer.
No, Abiraterone Acetate is not a chemotherapy drug. Abiraterone Acetate is a hormonal therapy that lowers testosterone levels to reduce the growth of prostate cancer.
You need to take prednisolone with Abiraterone Acetate to reduce the risk of high blood pressure, fluid retention (too much water in your body), and low potassium levels in your blood which may be caused by Abiraterone Acetate.
Yes, Abiraterone Acetate can affect the liver. Your healthcare provider will perform blood tests to check your liver function before and during treatment.
Liver function tests (investigation) should be conducted before starting Abiraterone Acetate and periodically during treatment, as advised by your healthcare provider.
Abiraterone Acetate should be taken once daily on an empty stomach, at least two hours after eating or one hour before eating. Swallow Abiraterone Acetate whole with a glass of water; do not chew, crush, or break it. Always follow the recommended dose.
No, you must never take Abiraterone Acetate with any food or snacks. Even a small amount of food can cause your body to absorb too much of the medicine, which increases your risk of dangerous side effects. Take it on an empty stomach, and talk to your doctor if you struggle with stomach upset.
Women who are pregnant, or who may become pregnant, should never handle Abiraterone Acetate tablets without wearing protective gloves. The medication can be absorbed through the skin and cause serious harm to a developing baby. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about handling safety.
You will need frequent blood tests, especially during the first few months of treatment, to check your liver function and potassium levels. Your doctor will determine the exact schedule for these tests based on your health. Talk to your doctor to learn more about your monitoring schedule.
If you miss a dose, skip it and take your regular dose the next day at your usual time. Never take two doses on the same day to make up for a missed one. If you miss more than one dose, talk to your doctor right away.
It is best to avoid alcohol while taking this medicine. Both alcohol and Abiraterone Acetate are processed by your liver, and combining them can increase your risk of liver damage. Talk to your doctor about safe lifestyle choices.
Your medical team will monitor how well the treatment is working by tracking your symptoms, performing imaging scans, and checking your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels through regular blood tests. Talk to your doctor for updates on your progress.
Yes, hormone treatments like Abiraterone Acetate can cause bone thinning over time, which increases the risk of fractures. Your doctor may recommend calcium and vitamin D supplements or other medications to help protect your bones. Talk to your doctor about the best ways to support your bone health.
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