HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Xtandi and Zytigia SE compared to Lupron/Casodex

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/18/2016 6:57 AM (GMT 0)
Just curious. I read on another forum about folks having terrible SE (severe muscle pain, insomnia, fatigue) from Xtandi and Zytigia (a bit less, but still bad).

My HT experience has been with Lupron/Casodex. No fun, but I am able to function and even work.

I guess my question is: are the other two drugs' SE that much worse, or are they pretty much comparable to Lupron/Casodex?

I figure this is the best place to ask --- from those of you who have been on the stuff.

Mel (trying to get a relative idea of the SE)
Posted 9/18/2016 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
For one thing, when you are prescribed either Xtandi or Zytiga you are already on Lupron and you will STAY on Lupron...Casodex is discontinued when these drugs are prescribed..

I'm on Zytiga / Predisone for a year now and notice zero additional side-effects..When I first started taking it, I had a brief spell of nausea, could have been caused by something else ? but since then, nothing except "undetectable" PSA test reports..
Posted 9/18/2016 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Fairwind

Why did you go on Zytiga? How does Zytiga/prednisone work and why is it taken with lupron? Can you take it intermittently? If so what are the intervals or how do you determine when to go off and on?
Just asking because I'm coming off lupron and casodex soon to see if I'm in remission. Thanks.
Bob
Posted 9/18/2016 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Mel,

In regard to your posted question, I will echo Fairwind's response ---

I've been on continuous ADT hormone shots, ever since my diagnosis ... and now added ZYTIGA to my treatment plan.

I don't feel any additional side effects from taking ZYTIGA, at least in my particular case ...

I have found that I need to drink plenty of WATER when I take the four daily ZYTIGA pills ... once, I wolfed all four pills down in quick succession, and had a case of the "dry heaves" about an hour later ... lesson learned ... drink PLENTY of water with the four pills ... and water between each of the four pills, as well ... they have to be taken on an empty stomach.

ZYTIGA has definitely helped me, over the course of the past year --- dropping my P.S.A. to an even lower level. I have to go in for lab work, every four weeks, to monitor blood levels and liver levels while taking ZYTIGA ... they do watch you carefully when you start the medication.

Hope this helps, in some small way ...

"Cyclone Fan" ~ Iowa State University
Posted 9/18/2016 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
Xtandi will make you sleepy, so best to take it at bedtime and you'll have a good sleep.
Posted 9/18/2016 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Just curious: I know you need to take prednisone with zytigia.

Wouldn't xtandi therefore be a better choice (since pred. has its own set of issues)?

Mel
Posted 9/18/2016 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Zytiga/ prednisone for 20 months and have been on Xtandi for the last 6 months. Looking back, we think the prednisone caused me to snore loudly. I prefer xtandi to Zytiga because I don't have to take it on an empty stomach and then wait an hour before eating like I had to do with Zytiga. Also no prednisone with xtandi.
Posted 9/18/2016 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
the no pred would be huge-- who needs the problems pred could cause?

mel
Posted 9/21/2016 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
about the only side effect I've had from Zytiga (besides a lower PSA) is weight loss. I take the pills just before going to bed. Use to be, I'd snack between dinner and going to bed. Now that my stomach needs to be empty I don't snack after dinner and Voila! weight loss.
Posted 9/21/2016 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
Took Xtandi for 15 months as part of trial. I felt better and had more energy and stamina that year than I have had since taking a treatment holiday five years ago. Only SE was fell asleep within thirty minutes of taking pills so I took them at bed time. I would take them again in a minute if they had not stopped working for me.

Don
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply