Deciding between Xtandi or Zytiga.

Deciding on taking either Xtandi or Zytiga. Read a lot of good thoughts here, but still trying to decide. Recently diagnosed with advanced, with lymph node and one area of bone. Like the idea of no additional steroid pill with Xtandi and being able to take without an empty stomach as well as not having the need for liver monitoring. I have responded well to lupron shots in the past, but now that it is in my system, it appears adding one of these would be in my best interest. My cancer has returned after proton treatment, but is no longer present in the prostrate as found by a PSMA(most definitive test available) performed at UCLA.

Gave your thread a subject. Welcome to the forum! -- PeterDisAbelard

Post Edited By Moderator (PeterDisAbelard.) : 9/19/2017 9:22:14 PM (GMT-6)

Thanks for the reply....I'm trying to decide on which one I would personally prefer before having my Doctor try to get it at as little cost to me as possible. My concern with the Zytiga is the liver problem/monitoring and potential requirement to lower the dose as a result, which I assume would change its' effectiveness. Without having been on either, it appears Xtandi is easier to take with respect to eating and no supplemental steroid pill. I know how expensive they both are...unfortunately.

My understanding is that the clinical trials have already been completed on these two drugs. I've read all the results that I could find to date.

It will likely come down to insurance. Mine would not pay for Xtandi until I tried Zytiga, which I had to stop due to liver issues. Once those became severe, I had to still wait for three PSA increases after the Zytiga was stopped before they would consider Xtandi.

Also, some group insurance plans run through CVS no longer have Xtandi in their list of covered medications.

I've been on Zytiga for 2 years with no problems. I have a blood test coming up, should be interesting..