Zytiga Dosage

For treating late-stage prostate cancer with Zytiga, the standard dose is usually 1000 mg once a day, along with 5 mg of prednisone twice daily. However, if you have liver problems, you will probably take less Zytiga. Make sure to take your Zytiga tablets on an empty stomach; however, the prednisone must be taken with food.

An Introduction to Dosing With Zytiga

The dose of Zytiga™ (abiraterone acetate) your healthcare provider recommends may vary, depending on whether you have liver problems or develop liver problems during treatment. As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.
 

What Is the Zytiga Dosage for Prostate Cancer?

The standard Zytiga dose for late-stage prostate cancer is 1000 mg once a day. Zytiga is given in combination with prednisone 5 mg twice a day.
 
The standard dosage of Zytiga for late-stage prostate cancer in people with moderate liver impairment is Zytiga 250 mg once a day. This medicine should not be used in people with severe liver impairment.
 
If liver damage occurs during treatment with this medication, treatment should be temporarily stopped until liver function tests return to normal. At that time, Zytiga may be restarted at a dosage of 750 mg once a day. If liver damage recurs, the drug should be stopped until liver function improves, and restarted at a dosage of 500 mg once a day. Zytiga should be discontinued permanently if liver damage occurs at the 500-mg dose.
 

General Information on Taking Zytiga

Some considerations to keep in mind during treatment with Zytiga include the following:
 
  • This medication comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth once a day.
 
  • Zytiga should be taken on an empty stomach. Do not eat anything for at least two hours before and one hour after taking your dose. Taking Zytiga with food may cause too much of the medication to be absorbed into the body, increasing your risk for side effects.
 
  • This medicine is taken in combination with prednisone. Because prednisone is taken with food, you will need to take Zytiga and prednisone at different times during the day.
 
  • Take this medication with a glass of water.
 
  • Do not crush, chew, or break Zytiga tablets; make sure to swallow them whole.
 
  • Try to take your dosage of Zytiga at about the same time each day, to maintain an even level of the medication in your bloodstream.
 
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It is important to not stop taking Zytiga even if you are feeling better.
 
  • If you are unsure about anything related to dosing with Zytiga, please talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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