Uses of Apalutamide
Apalutamide is used to treat certain types of prostate cancer (cancer in men that begins in the prostate [a male reproductive gland]) and has spread to other parts of the body or that has not spread to other parts of the body but has not been helped by other medical treatments. Apalutamide is in a class of medications called androgen receptor inhibitors. It works by blocking the effects of androgen (a male reproductive hormone) to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Side Effects of Apalutamide
Apalutamide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- weakness
- tiredness
- joint pain
- muscle weakness or stiffness
- diarrhea
- nausea
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- hot flashes
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- seizures
- loss of consciousness
- swelling of the arms, legs, hands, or feet
- falling
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- rash
Apalutamide may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking apalutamide:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to apalutamide, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in apalutamide tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin), fexofenadine (Allegra), gemfibrozil (Lopid), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox, Tolsura), ketoconazole (Nizoral), omeprazole (Prilosec, in Yosprala, Zegerid), midazolam (Nayzilam, Seizalam), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater), rosuvastatin (Crestor, Ezallor). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with apalutamide, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures, a brain injury, a brain tumor, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, a stroke or ministroke, or osteoporosis.
- you should know that apalutamide is only for use in men. Women should not take this medication, especially if they are or may become pregnant or are breastfeeding. If taken by pregnant women, apalutamide may harm the fetus. If a pregnant woman takes apalutamide, she should call her doctor immediately.
- if your partner is pregnant, you must use a condom whenever you have sex during your treatment with apalutamide and for three months after your final dose. If your partner is not pregnant but could become pregnant, you must use a condom and another form of birth control whenever you have sex during your treatment and for 3 months after your final dose. Do not donate semen or sperm while you are taking apalutamide and for 3 months after your final dose.
- you should know that apalutamide may cause seizures. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- you should know that apalutamide may cause your muscles and bones to get weak, which may increase your risk of falling and breaking a bone.
Dosage
Apalutamide comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. Take apalutamide at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take apalutamide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.
Your doctor may tell you to stop taking apalutamide for a short time or decrease your dose if you experience serious side effects during your treatment. Be sure to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment with apalutamide.
If your doctor has prescribed another medication such as goserelin (Zoladex), histrelin (Supprelin LA, Vantas), leuprolide (Eligard, Lupron, in Lupaneta Pack), or triptorelin (Trelstar, Triptodur) to treat your prostate cancer, you will need to continue receiving this medication during your treatment with apalutamide.
Continue to take apalutamide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking apalutamide without talking to your doctor.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient.
Other
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to apalutamide.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.