HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Zytiga, only 250 mg daily?

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/28/2023 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Due to cost, my doc put me on 1/4 normal dose of Abiraterone(Zytiga) and Prednisone with a low fat breakfast, plus of course quarterly Lupron shots. Any opinions on this reduced regimen and long-term effectiveness? I have been undetectable since I started this in Nov/2022. My PSA had been 0, 1, 2,3 or so for the last 4-5 years then zoomed to 8 in Nov/2022.

Any thoughts on the 1/4 dosage?

Thanks,

Jim
Posted 8/28/2023 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Jim, the good news is that it appears to be working quite well. Undetectable is a zero, after reaching 8. They can always to increase your dosage if need be. Thanks for checking in.
Michael
Posted 8/28/2023 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc5941614/

Jim,
The above study is a little dated from 2018, but it shows that low dose Abiraterone plus a low fat meal is "not inferior" to high dose Abiraterone on an empty stomach. I doubt the drug's manufacturer is happy about that, and not likely to promote this alternative administration of the drug. (of course a 75% loss of revenue wouldn't color the pharma's view 🙂).

Seems like your doc is making a good call that can save a lot of money.
Posted 8/28/2023 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
Been on full-dose ZYTIGA (now the generic ~ Abiraterone Acetate) for over 8 years.

You have your doctor's endorsement for this reduced dosage.

You receive quarterly ADT injections.

Make certain that you receive timely PSA tests. Sounds like you are already doing that, in a proactive and vigilant way.

Ask for an occasional testosterone level test, to make sure your form of ADT is working well. My case required a switch to a different form of ADT (ZOLADEX) ~ due to spikes and flares in PSA, which were caused by spikes in testosterone.

Here's to continued treatment success!

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University
Posted 8/29/2023 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
CYCLONE HI just a quick Question on Abiraterone my oncologist wants me to start this drug but reading all the bad side effects i don't know what to do im taken Lupron shots. and 3 round's of Taxotere my psa went from 102 to 2.8 just since May 10th of this year
prostate cancer metastatic to bone, LN, lung with primary untreated.
Posted 8/29/2023 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, Cyclone, Matten, and 6oMichael, I agree the low-dose Abiraterone regimen seems to be working for me. That 2018 study was small, so I'm hoping it's replicated. It's so great to have this community with knowledge -sharing!!!

RenoRod, if your doc says do the Abiraterone, I would do it. My PSA has been zeros since i started that and Lupron almost a year ago. My doc seems to give more credit to the Abiraterone than the Lupron. The side effects are annoying but livable, at least for me.

Jim
Posted 8/29/2023 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Ive been taking abiraterone 250 mg as described since 11/2021 after mets to my lung. It brought my psa from 5 to 0.02 and significantly shrunk the 2 lung tumors. I tried enzalutamide initially for 2 months but was not tolerating it well. Also I elected to have an orchiectomy/castration so that I could discontinue ADT injections.( in the hope that it might improve brain fog and other side effects)
Posted 8/29/2023 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Reno rod, welcome to HW. I was on Zytiga but the side effects were minimal compared to xtandi. It would be worth a try to see if you can tolerate it. For me the adt, going on 11 years, has had more side effects.
Michael
Posted 8/29/2023 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
Michael
thank for the response as well as jim48 i have just started this journey in may i fill lucky i was put on the fast track
for treatment just by luck i take LUPRON DEPOT 3-MONTH injection 22.5 mg and i did 3 Taxotere cemo sessions
and everything was great i felt good no problems the 4th cemo did not go so well could not finish it, but going back Friday to try again with some meds to take before treatment i heard so much bad stuff about abiraterone 250 mg tablet
it just kind of makes me hesitant thanks for all input to all
Posted 8/29/2023 10:37 PM (GMT 0)
RenoRod ~

Like you, my initial PSA was over 100 upon diagnosis.

I have been on ZYTIGA (Abiraterone Acetate) for over 8 solid years. Other fellows here have been on this medication for years, as well.

It has been part of my treatment regimen. If you doctor is recommending it, I feel that's valued treatment advice.

For me, this medication has worked miracles. Absolute, jaw-dropping miracles ...

That has been my experience. You owe it to yourself to embrace your doctor's advice.

My oncologist watches over me like a brother. I was my doctor's first patient to try this medication. That was over 8 years ago now!

I have a lot to be thankful for ... and this medication has truly been a blessing to me and other compadres here on this website!

Keep in touch with us here ~
CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply