Abiraterone Acetate is a generic medication of the brand name Abirapro, which used in the treatment of Prostate Cancer. Zytiga is the Innovator of this medication.
In the year 2011, this medication was approved by the FDA for use in Europe and the United States. World Health Organization declared it, as the most effective and essential medication for healthcare. This medication is marketed throughout the world.
For Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer & Metastatic High-Risk Castration Sensitive Prostate Cancer, this medication used with a combination of Corticosteroid.
What is Abiraterone Acetate:
This medication indicated to use in a combination with Prednisone in order to treat patients with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cance (mCRPC) who have received prior chemo containing docetaxel. It can be also used for the elimination of the testicles. This medication simply works by suppressing the production of androgens. The actively growing cancerous cell requires androgen for its further multiplication and division; if this hormone androgen is inhibited then the cancerous cell will die.
Side Effects of Abiraterone:
Patients may experience some most common and rare side effects including:
- Diarrhea
- Joint Pain
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Weakness
- Cough
- Low Blood Pressure
- Swelling in Hands & Legs
If you detect any probable side effect by using this medication, Contact your doctor right away for seeking appropriate medical help.
Some of the severe adverse reaction of abiraterone acetate 250 mg include:
- hypertension
- Edema
- hypokalemia
- joint swelling
- muscle discomfort
- urinary tract infection
- cough
- upper respiratory tract infection
- Victoria
- hot flush
- urinary frequency
- dyspepsia
Uses of Abiraterone Acetate
This medication used in the treatment of Prostate cancer, which is a cancer of the prostate gland of the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer usually grows slow but sometimes it may relatively rapid and it has the potential to spread from the Prostate gland to other parts of the body particularly the Lymph nodes and bone.
Abiraterone 250 mg can be helpful in order to prevent testosterone flare at the initiation of GnRH agonist therapy in men`s.
Abiraterone Acetate simply restricts the functioning and production of the male hormone androgen. This androgen is the main cause of the growth of cancerous tissue. When the production of androgen is inhibited, the growth of cancerous cells is blocked.
How Abiraterone Acetate is Given
This drug is available in tablet form of concentration 250 mg. It is generally taken orally after the food. The dose of Abiraterone Acetate depends upon the prescription of your physician so take it accordingly. The tablet should not be broken or chewed, rather it should be taken whole with water.
If you missed the dose and more than 5-7 hours have passed, do not take it in order to catch the cycle.
And by mistake, if you`ve taken an overdose, immediately call to the poison control center or seek help to your medical team. Take this prostate cancer medication at the same time every day for better results.
What is the Advantage of Abiraterone Acetate:
In comparison to the standard treatment, Abiraterone has the advantage in terms of side effects such as Pain.
Based on the recent study pain has the less common in patients who were taking this medication.
The overall survival rate is far better with Abiraterone Acetate (Abirapro).
Life Expectancy: In certain researches, it has been found that abiraterone Acetate increases the life expectancy of almost 50% of the total population for three years or more.
Skeletal problems: Patients using abiraterone Acetate have experienced less bone fracture as compared to other medications.
Precaution:
This medication is not recommended for women. The use of this medication by a pregnant woman may harm their unborn child. Also, breastfeeding can be hazardous for babies if any women take this medicine.
- For men`s, before taking this medication talk about your medical history.
- Share the details with your physician about all the products you`re taking such as herbal products, prescription as well as non-prescription drugs.
- If you`ve any allergic reaction, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Before taking this medication, tell to your doctor if you`ve any chronic circumstances such as people with Lung disease and Liver disease.
- People with Prostate cancer are advised to take this medication under the prescription of their physician and it needs to take at the same time for the prescribed time duration.
- Do not start or stop taking or any medication without the approval of your doctor.
Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer:
For diagnosis purposes, prostate screening tests would be far better including the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE).
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE): In this test, doctors insert a gloved, lubricated finger into any person`s Rectum in order to examine the prostate. After the examination, if the doctor ends up with any abnormalities in the size, texture, and shape of the gland, you may need further tests.
- Prostate Health Index (PHI) test: It is also a precise blood test in order to find out the diagnosis of prostate cancer. This test helps in measuring the risk of having prostate cancer.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: A small sample is drawn from your bloodstream to check about the level of prostate hormones. If it is higher than normal it shows a symptom of prostate infection.
There are Non-Invasive methods by which prostate tumors can be detected. By the molecular test, it is possible to detect the presence of non-associated PCA3 mRNA in fluids consider from the prostate or urine sample.
Prognosis of Prostate Cancer
In general terms the higher the stage and grade the poorer prognosis. The rates of prostate cancer in developed countries are a way ahead than the rest of the world. A lot of risk factors are common in developed regions such as diets higher in red meat and longer life expectancy.
In the USA the local prostate cancer at the time of diagnosis has a five-year average survival rate of approximately 100%. Apart from this, patients with distant metastases have a five-year survival rate of nearly 29%.
