Abiraterone acetate

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Abiraterone acetate is a prescription cancer medicine used to treat advanced prostate cancer. It comes as a pill and is taken with prednisone (a corticosteroid). The drug is a prodrug, meaning it is converted into an active form in the body.

What it does
- Abiraterone acetate blocks an enzyme called CYP17A1, which your body uses to make androgens such as testosterone.
- Lowering androgen levels helps slow the growth of prostate cancer. The active effects are strongest when used with testosterone-suppressing methods (like castration or GnRH therapy).

Who it is for
- Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in men, often after other therapies.
- Metastatic high-risk castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) in some patients.

How it is used
- Taken by mouth, usually in combination with prednisone.
- The medicine should be taken on an empty stomach. Absorption increases with food, which can lead to higher and more variable levels in the body. Take it at least one hour before or two hours after a meal.

What to know before taking it
- Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, because abiraterone can interact with other drugs.
- It can affect liver function and cause mineralocorticoid imbalance, so liver tests and other monitoring are common.
- It’s important to keep testosterone suppression ongoing with other treatments as advised (e.g., continuing GnRH therapy or having surgery to remove the testicles).
- Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid exposure to the pills; if a partner could become pregnant, use reliable birth control.

Side effects and safety
Common side effects (often reported) include:
- Fatigue, nausea, headache, joint or limb pain
- High blood pressure, swelling (edema), low potassium, high blood sugar
- Hot flashes, diarrhea, cough

Serious but less common risks:
- Liver problems
- Adrenocortical insufficiency (hormone problems)
- Mineralocorticoid excess (leading to fluid retention, low potassium)

Availability and history
- Abiraterone acetate is sold under brand names such as Zytiga and Yonsa, with generic versions available.
- It was approved for prostate cancer treatment in the United States and Europe in 2011 and has since become a widely used option in its approved settings.

Notes
- It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.
- Always use exactly as prescribed and discuss any concerns or potential drug interactions with your doctor.