Abiraterone, Oral ah-bih-RAT-er-ohn

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiandrogen; antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: abiraterone, oral; Zytiga

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat advanced prostate cancer. It is taken with prednisone.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• adrenal gland or pituitary gland problems
• heart disease
• liver disease

Men who receive this medicine should always use a condom and another form of birth control when having sex with a woman who may become pregnant. Do this during treatment with this medicine and for 1 week after stopping treatment.

Females of childbearing age: This medicine should NOT be taken by women. Do NOT take this medicine if you are pregnant. Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not touch this medicine without protection, such as gloves. This medicine has been reported to cause birth defects. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Usually you will take this medicine once per day, and prednisone twice per day.

Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Do not eat for 2 hours before, or 1 hour after you take this medicine. Swallow the tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew them. Take the tablets with water.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take your next scheduled dose the following day. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

This medicine may make you dizzy or confused. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; lightheadedness or fainting; unusual weakness or tiredness; headache; confusion; dark urine; yellowing of your skin or eyes; light colored bowel movements; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; severe leg pain; trouble breathing.

Other: Diarrhea, heartburn, mild joint or muscle pain, hot flushes, cough, pain or burning with urination, increased urination.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tabs, E.E.S.), isoniazid, rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin), rifapentine (Priftin), and telithromycin (Ketek)
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline, desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin, duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox CR), imipramine (Tofranil), nefazodone, nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
• antifungal medicines such as itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (VFEND)
• anti-HIV medicines such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Fortovase, Invirase)
• antipsychotic medicines such as aripiprazole (Abilify), chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol (Haldol), and thioridazine
• antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), and primidone (Mysoline)
• atomoxetine (Strattera)
• barbiturates such as butabarbital (Butisol) and pentobarbital (Nembutal)
• bosentan (Tracleer)
• dexamethasone dextromethorphan, an ingredient in many cough and cold medicines such as Robitussin-DM
• heart medicines such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), flecainide (Tambocor), mexiletine, nicardipine (Cardene, Cardene SR), procainamide, propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine, verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin)
• imatinib (Gleevec)
• St. John's wort
• tamoxifen

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.