Abirakast is a drug which is usually combined with other medicines for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. This treatment is usually given to men who have already gone through and received chemotherapy before. The chemotherapy in such cases usually contains docetaxel.
This treatment involving Abirakast tablets is a kind of hormone therapy.
How to consume Abirakast tablets?
You should consume this medicine based on how your doctor recommends and prescribes it to you. Described below is the general way of how to take this pill.
- Abirakast comes in the form of a tablet.
- This tablet should be consumed once a day.
- It should be taken on an empty stomach, which means either two hours after a meal or one hour before a meal in the morning.
- You must take this medicine at around the same time every day.
- This medicine should be consumed along with the prescribed Prednisone every day.
- There are many factors that affect how much dosage you should take. So, it is important to always consult the doctor and consume it based on how he schedules it.
Side Effects of Abirakast
You may or may not experience all the side effects. The side effects are very predictable, and eventually, your body will get accustomed to the treatment and the side effects will be reduced. The duration, severity, and onset of the side effects can be predicted beforehand. The fortunate part about the treatment is that the side effects are temporary, and they go away once the treatment is completed. The side effects are not severe in most cases and can be managed and minimized.
These are the side effects that you may experience:
- Increased triglycerides
- Increased liver enzymes AST
- Fluid retention
- Decreased levels of potassium in the blood
- Joint swelling or joint discomfort
- Peripheral edema
- Muscle ache
- Decreased level of phosphorus
- Diarrhea
- UTI (urinary tract infection)
- Hot flashes
- Cough
- Increased ALT
These side-effects may be common or uncommon, depending on the case. If you face any of the above-mentioned side-effects, you don’t have to worry.
But if you face any of these following side effects, you must contact a doctor immediately and take the situation very seriously.
- 4˚F or 38˚C Fever and chills
- Irregular heartbeats
- Chest pain
- Difficulty in breathing
- Unable to urinate for eight hours or more
There are other side-effects mentioned below, which may not occur, but are not to be taken as an emergency. You can contact your doctor within 24hours.
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Consistent headache
- Diarrhea (4-6 episodes in a day)
- Unusual bleeding or bruises
- Black stools or blood in the stool
- Fatigue
- Yellowing of eyes, skin
- Increased blood pressure
Precautions
You should inform your doctor about any other medications that you are taking currently. This is one of the factors that affect the dosage of Abirakast. You should avoid taking aspirin or any medicine that includes aspirin, without receiving the permission of your doctor.
Abirakast tablets are usually not prescribed to women. In case a woman is prescribed with this medicine, pregnancy should be avoided and you must not breastfeed during the treatment. This medicine in no situation should be prescribed to a pregnant woman. In case any woman conceives during the treatment, the treatment must be stopped. If the medicine is taken during pregnancy, it can cause serious harm.
Abirakast (Abiraterone acetate) must be consumed after a consultation with a doctor, and only under a prescription.
