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Zytiga and food in less than one hour

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Posted 1/21/2018 12:14 PM (GMT 0)
Anybody had any experience with eating within that one hour after taking Zytiga? Inadvertently ate about 1/2 of one of those "nutrition" bars about 20 - 30 minutes after taking Zytiga this morning. Can't call the Dr. on Sunday, Zytiga website only says do not take ZYTIGA® with food. Taking ZYTIGA® with food may cause more of the medicine to be absorbed by the body than is needed and this may cause side effects.

While on the subject, I was wondering if anyone has heard anymore about black coffee or tea within that one hour window? I know I asked this some time ago. Just wondered if anyone heard any new information.

Anybody offer any advice?
Posted 1/22/2018 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Mr. Bill
I wouldn't worry about the this one time, just make sure you are taking the prednisone as prescribed.

One poster on another site advocating trying it regularly for more effectiveness, (food within an hour)which I challenged him to cite any Oncologist who would even suggest that!. I would definitely worry about the ol Liver if someone did that.
WOE
Posted 1/22/2018 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
Ocassionally I have had something to eat with no adverse reactions.
Posted 1/22/2018 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
I made a point to take mine when I got up in the night to pee. That way I didn't run afoul of the "no food" rule.
Posted 1/22/2018 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the follow ups. Lately I have found myself operating in a mental fog. Must be SE's. I use that pillbox that Zytiga sends in the "welcome kit." Maybe I will start the middle of the night pit stop to take them as suggested. Oh well, at least our 5 feet of snow is finally melting. We were going to head for my wife's home state of Mississippi this winter. With flu being what it is afraid to go anywhere.

I really would feel uncomfortable not taking meds as prescribed in order to increase effectiveness. Maybe Zytiga could go back to the drawing board and check it out.
Posted 1/24/2018 10:36 AM (GMT 0)
My understanding is that if you take Zytiga with food, it can be like taking 17 times as much as you are supposed to (read that somewhere, but I can't recall where). Many people faced with the high cost of the drug think that they can eat food and then can "stretch" the supply out longer by taking just 1 or 2 pills instead of 4. The problem is that the full stomach thing is pretty wildly unpredictable. Some food may have little effect, others may have a crazy effect. And the same food may react differently based on other factors. So it is probably best to just take it as prescribed.

I am guilty of occasionally not doing the one hour thing. No willpower. I have never had any particular trouble with doing it that I noticed other than significant guilt at not following the directions.
Posted 1/24/2018 11:29 AM (GMT 0)
Gmoose,

That's interesting. Increasing the potential side effects would certainly cause one to give second thought to following the prescribed dosage. I follow the instructions closely, but I have slipped and found myself foraging around the kitchen when I shouldn't be. Must be the fog.
Posted 1/24/2018 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
A couple of years ago there was a thread on UsTOO led by a Brazilian chemist PhD who took one Zytiga a day with a very carefully measured amount of certain oils. Don't think I want to try, but if one is totally unable to meet the cost this might be an option.
/www.inspire.com/BillyT/
Posted 1/24/2018 3:35 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Mr. Bill,

I agree with others that a "mishap" day can happen to anyone.

My prescription for ZYTIGA states that there should be no food taken two hours BEFORE the medication, and then no food for one hour AFTER the pills are taken.

I know some fellows take them late at night, at bedtime.

I take my pills, first thing in the morning. Then I wait at least an hour before eating after that.

I make sure to drink LOTS of water with ZYTIGA. Once, I didn't drink enough water, I consumed the four tablets too quickly, without drinking enough water, and I subsequently got the dry heaves about an hour later.

Lesson learned ... drink some water before the first pill ... some water in between each of the four daily ZYTIGA pills ... and then some more water, after you are done taking the pills. The water really helps while taking ZYTIGA, I have discovered!

Hope you are doing well, Mr. Bill !

All my best,
CYCLONE ~ Iowa State University
Posted 1/24/2018 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
So the whole take Zytiga on empty stomach and wait one hour, and make sure you take prednisone on a full stomach. OMG what a pain in the butt. I take my prednisone, Zytiga, Venlafaxine and blood pressure meds together in the morning , on a lite breakfast.

Breakfast -yogurt and berries with some multigrain toast and peanut butter.
or
some hard boiled eggs (2 with yoke, one without), some fruit, and the toast again

or
egg sandwich with above ingredients.

No issues. Let my Onc know what I was doing and said as long as it keeps working like it does, no problem.

about as organized as I get because my work days do not give me a repetitive schedule.

Do not copy me. Just some information to relieve your anxiety regarding eating too soon after taking Zytiga.

Hope everyone is well. Keep the beast at bay.
Posted 1/24/2018 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the replies. Guess I took the dosage/instructions a little to serious. However, if a start to glow in the dark I'll let you know.

Mr. Bill
Posted 1/25/2018 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
I take my zytiga during my pee stop in the middle of the night, I'm 80 years old and pee at least twice a night.. I'm applying at the manufacturer of zytiga to cover my copay which is $2800.. have any of you guys done this.. pan foundation is covering it now but that will expire in a couple of months... i have some hot flashes, and my wife said i have a bit of senility lol,,, i claim that its cancer in my brain lol good luck to all and keep positive and posting
Posted 1/25/2018 9:35 AM (GMT 0)
Cyclone,
That's how I did manage it. Early morning lots of water. Probably stick to that rather than during one of my late night visits. I find it difficult to drink "copious" amounts of water in the middle of the night.

Hope everything is well with you. Your presence on the Zytiga threads (and others) is very much appreciated. Look forward to your posts. Many folks contribute a great deal on this forum.

Mr. Bill
Posted 1/25/2018 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
My husband has been taking zytiga with food daily for three months. PSA is down to 5.7, and it only started dropping after he started taking the drug with a full meal. He started Metformin two months ago because his blood sugar spiked but he feels his high blood sugar readings are a fair trade off for psa drops.

If you only read the studies, you'll think there is only one way to take Zytiga. We tried the one pill a day with a lowfat breakfast protocol (didn't work) upped the dose to the standard 4 a day without food protocol (didn't work) and after three months of not working, we were just about ready to try something else when his oncologist suggested trying four pills a day with a full fat meal. Surprisingly it worked!

Studies also say if your psa hasn't lowered 30% or 50% within 12 weeks, Zytiga won't work for you. We have found that to be untrue. His psa didn't begin to drop until the 16th week coinciding with taking the drug with food, so men shouldn't be too hasty to stop Zytiga when it doesn't work immediately. Also ask your onc when your psa ultimately starts to rise if you should add food so more of the drug is absorbed. You may just get a few more months out of Zytiga.

Good luck to all.
Posted 1/25/2018 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
mtnwife,

That is really interesting. Especially with a Onc. recommending the regime. I am certainly going to ask my Onc., even though PSA drop has slowed considerably. But still dropping none the less. Mind me asking what the full fat meal might consist of?
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