What is Prostate Cancer:
Prostate Cancer is the development of cancer in the prostate gland. This gland is a part of male reproductive system.
In people with prostate cancer, the cells may spread from the prostate gland to other parts of the body, specifically the bones and lymph nodes.
In the beginning of cancer, it may cause no symptoms but in later stages, it may lead patients towards the symptoms such as blood in the urine, pain in the pelvis and difficulty urinating.
Risk factors may include family history, older age, and race. Some other factors may be involved include a diet high in red meat, processed meat or milk products.
Prostate Cancer Treatment:
In many cases watchful waiting and active surveillance are effective. Other treatment options could be a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or hormone therapy. In patients whom the cancer has spread to the bones bisphosphonates, pain medications and targeted therapy can be effective as well as useful.
The outcome simply related to factors such as a patient's age, general health and how extensive as well as aggressive the cancer is.
Medications For Prostate Cancer:
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved various medications including generic name and brand names for use in the treatment of prostate cancer. Some medications are enlisted as follows:
- Cabazitaxel
- Bicalutamide
- Docetaxel
- Jevtana (Cabazitaxel)
- Eligard (Leuprolide Acetate)
- Xtandi (Enzalutamide)
- Taxotere (Docetaxel)
- Abiraterone Acetate
- Zytiga (Abiraterone Acetate)
Abiraterone Acetate: Abiraterone acetate has been approved to be used in combination with prednisone in order to treat:
In male patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who have initially taken prior chemotherapy containing docetaxel.
This medication works by suppressing the production of androgens and it specifically inhibits CYP17A1. And decreases the production testosterone. In order to do so, it is quite helpful in preventing the effects of these hormones in prostate cancer.
Abiraterone acetate is on the WHO's (World Health Organization's) list of essential medicines, the most effective as well as the safest medicines needed for a health system.
Side Effects of Abiraterone Acetate:
People with Abiraterone acetate tablets may experience a few rare as well as common side effects include:
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Joint Pain
- Hot Flashes
- Urinary Frequency
- Muscle Discomfort
- Joint swelling or Discomfort
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Some severe side effects may also appear include:
- Liver Failure
- Hypertension
- Adrenocortical insufficiency
For males as well as females with abiraterone acetate, birth control is recommended. Immediately seek help if you feel any of the above-mentioned signs and symptoms in order to get appropriate and precise treatment.
Dosage Forms and Strength: Abiraterone Acetate 250 mg tablets are white to off-white in color. This medication is available in high-density polyethylene bottles of 120 tablets. This medication should be taken by mouth. For better outcomes take it about the constant time during the course.
Patients should be informed that abiraterone acetate and prednisone are used together and that they shouldn't stop or interrupt either of these medications without the consent of their healthcare providers.
