if taking prednisone and zytiga -How late at night to take second prednisone to help avoid insomnia

will be starting zytiga and prednisone (5mg twice a day, with food)

have read that one side effect of pred might be insomnia or restlessness,
and I guess restlessness at nite can = insomnia.

===> for those of you who take pred twice a day, what are the times you take it ?

I don't know if it has to be exactly 12 hrs apart or not.

will not be able to take zytiga until 9 am due to needing to take thyroid rx earlier
which means no pred with food until 10 am - and need to leave at least 1-2hrs between taking
thyroid rx and zytiga in any case as per pharmacists.

but 10 pm, 12 hours later seems way too late to take second one re effects of it on sleep.


(I do realize insomnia and/or restlessness is not the only possible s/e of pred but thats the one
one to look at now re the dosing schedule)

Thanks for your help.

thanks for your feedback.

My experience matches GoBucks's experience.

I have been on ZYTIGA for over 50 continuous months.

To track my progress when I first started Zytiga, which was a newer breakthrough medication when I first started out on Zytiga, I began saving the empty prescription bottles.

The FDA approval of both Zytiga and Xtandi in the past decade ushered in a new era in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer --- daily prescription medication, taken conveniently at home -- rather than having to travel to a treatment center for radiation or chemotherapy infusions --- which many of us have pursued along the way, as well.

I am a teacher and started Zytiga at the very beginning of a new school year.

I remember how grateful I was when I had 9 empty Zytiga bottles lined up on the shelf, because those first 9 empty prescription bottles represented an entire school year.

Tonight, there are 55 empty Zytiga bottles lined up on a shelf, as my journey with Zytiga continues ... day by day. As of today, Zytiga has helped me through nearly five years of additional teaching. Another class of seniors will graduate in May!

Zytiga is built into my daily morning routine --- a morning ritual.

The Prednisone tablets are quite small in dosage --- two very tiny 5 milligram pills each day.

My oncologist said I didn't need to worry about when to take the Prednisone, other than to take them consistently each day, as required as a supplementary medication for Zytiga.

So, I take my Zytiga medication each morning, and take both Prednisone tablets together, later in the evening.

As GoBucks also shared from his experience, the daily dosage of Prednisone is quite small, and it thankfully hasn't disrupted my sleep during the night.

It's always a good idea to consult with your doctor and also your pharmacist when starting a new medicine regimen. They will share insight and advice and expertise with you.

My doctor wasn't concerned about when I took the Prednisone. He WAS concerned that I take it consistently, each and every day.

An easy alternative plan would simply be to take one pill with lunch and another with dinner.

Wishing you a tremendous response to ZYTIGA!

Sent with my best, "one brother to another" ----
Cyclone --- Iowa State University

RobLee,

1. when you mention you take the divided doses between 10 and 4, I think
you are saying not taking them 12 hours apart ?

(since between 10 and 4 is 6 hrs)

2. you mention the insomnia and jitteriness and the crash that
happens 10-20 hrs later - can you elaborate ?

Am not trying to be morbid here but just trying more to understand about it.
And realize as Cyclone and you menton that 10mg is a smaller dose, esp 5mg twice a day
but for someone like me so sensitive in past to the few meds I have taken,
will help to have bigger picture re what you mention as to the insomnia, jitteriness and the crash.

Thanks again.

tomhw said...
RobLee, when you mention you take the divided doses between 10 and 4, I think
you are saying not taking them 12 hours apart ? (since between 10 and 4 is 6 hrs)
2. you mention the insomnia and jitteriness and the crash that happens 10-20 hrs later - can you elaborate ? ... you menton that 10mg is a smaller dose, esp 5mg twice a day but for someone like me so sensitive in past to the few meds I have taken, will help to have bigger picture re what you mention as to the insomnia, jitteriness and the crash.

As Bucks said, a high dose is more likely to cause insomnia. The crash is because your adrenal gland stop functioning (when on a high dose). Probably will not apply to you. You may feel better taking your 5 mg doses at 10AM and 4PM, as you mentioned drug sensitivity and you also take other meds. When you become more experienced adding the Zytiga and prednisone to your regimen you will likely be more comfortable taking 10mg with your Zytiga. It needn't be 12 hours apart.