Abiraterone oral tablets

What is this medication?

ABIRATERONE (a bir A ter one) blocks the effect of the male hormone called testosterone. This medicine is used for certain types of prostate cancer.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Yonsa, ZYTIGA

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes
• having surgery
• heart disease
• high blood pressure
• history of irregular heartbeat
• liver disease
• low levels of potassium in the blood
• an unusual or allergic reaction to abiraterone, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Do not cut, crush or chew this medicine. Swallow the tablets whole. Take Zytiga on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before and 2 hours after food. You can take Yonsa with or without food; if it upsets your stomach, take it with food.

Do not handle or touch this medicine if you are pregnant. It can cause serious birth defects. If you are pregnant and must touch this medicine, wear gloves.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take double or extra doses. If you miss more than 1 dose, tell your healthcare provider right away.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• thioridazine

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• certain medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin
• dextromethorphan
• pioglitazone
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• rifapentine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your doctor or healthcare professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

If you are a woman, do not get pregnant while taking this medicine. If you do get pregnant, tell your doctor right away. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not touch this medicine without wearing gloves. Men should not father a child while taking this medicine and for 3 weeks after stopping it. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information. Do not breast-feed an infant while taking this medicine.

Learn how to check your blood sugar if you have diabetes. Learn the symptoms of low and high blood sugar and how to manage them.

This medicine may increase blood sugar. Ask your healthcare provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.

If you have diabetes, always carry a quick-source of sugar with you in case you have symptoms of low blood sugar. Examples include hard sugar candy or glucose tablets. Make sure others know that you can choke if you eat or drink when you develop serious symptoms of low blood sugar, such as seizures or unconsciousness. They must seek medical help at once.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• chest pain or chest tightness
• fast, irregular heartbeat
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms
• palpitations
• right upper belly pain
• signs and symptoms of high blood sugar such as being more thirsty or hungry or having to urinate more than normal. You may also feel very tired or have blurry vision.
• signs of infection - fever or chills, cough, sore throat, pain or difficulty passing urine
• swelling of the ankles, feet, hands
• unusually weak or tired
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• cough
• diarrhea
• facial flushing
• joint pain
• muscle pain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.