Abirakast (Abiraterone acetate) tablets are commonly used for hormone treatments. It is the generic name for the drug known as Zytiga. This tablet is an IP 250 mg and used in combination with prednisone. It is mainly used for male patients who are suffering from metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Be aware that to use this drug successfully, you need to have undergone some kind of chemotherapy. This drug comes in handy for the cases where you are unable to travel to the hospital for their therapy or treatment.
The procedure for taking Abirakast (Abiraterone acetate)
You might have realized that this is a very strong and vital drug for prostate cancer patients. Therefore, unlike other drugs, maintaining the timetable is crucial in this case. This is a strong hormone treatment drug, which means there can be a few side effects if taken in the wrong way.
There is a proper procedure to take the Abirakast (Abiraterone acetate) tablet. If you have to take this drug or administer it to somebody, follow the below-listed steps very carefully.
- As mentioned already, it comes in the form of a pill. It is an IP 250 mg tablet, and it is important to be taken regularly.
- The dosage of tablet is once a day.
- You must consume the tablet on an empty stomach. So, you can consume it either one hour before a meal or two hours after the meal.
- There is no restriction on consuming the drug, but be sure to maintain the exact time every day. This is very important.
- With each dosage, you need to take 10 mg of prednisone every day.
- Understand that the dosage of the drug is not the same for everybody. So, consult your doctor, and they will provide you the correct dosage for you.
Side effects from Abirakast (Abiraterone acetate)
Like other drugs, Abirakast (Abiraterone acetate) is also not free from side effects. But the good news is that you do not need to worry about them. Most of the side effects that you may get from Abirakast (Abiraterone acetate) are common and predictable.
Also, the majority of the side effects are reversible and temporary. This means that they will go away once your treatment is complete. Since most of the side effects are predictable, there are ample ways to keep them at bay. Most of the side effects can be suppressed or diminished using Abirakast (Abiraterone acetate).
Side effects from Abirakast (Abiraterone acetate)
So, you have seen that most of the side effects are manageable through Abirakast (Abiraterone acetate). However, you should know the symptoms that indicate a side effect. The list of the common symptoms or side effects that may develop due to this drug are as follows:
- An increased amount of liver enzymes in your body or AST
- An increased number of triglycerides in the body
- Increased fluid retention tendencies
As you can see, these are very normal side effects and can be easily managed with different techniques and drugs. But some other symptoms are more severe and less common among patients. These symptoms need immediate medical attention.
Therefore, keep your eyes open for the following symptoms or side effects:
- Reduced potassium levels in the body
- Swelling of the joints causing discomfort
- Reduced phosphorus levels in your bloodstream
- Swelling of the hands and feet
- Aching of muscles
- Diarrhea or cough
- Increased liver enzymes in the body
- Infections in the urinary tract
Apart from these, you need to contact a hospital or a doctor immediately if you experience the following side effects:
- Irregular heartbeats
- High fever
- Difficulty in breathing and urinating (for more than 8 hours)
Precautions to prevent Abirakast (Abiraterone acetate)’s side effects
As mentioned earlier, you can manage the side effects using some simple precautions. For preventing them, simply follow the given precautions.
- Consult your doctor before taking the drug. It is crucial to mention all the other drugs that you are currently taking.
- This drug is presently made for men only. If a female takes this drug, she should not be pregnant or try to get pregnant. This may cause severe complications to the fetus.
