Enzalutamide is used to treat prostate cancer. This
medication belongs to a class of drugs known as anti-androgens
(anti-testosterone). It works by blocking the effects of testosterone to
slow the growth and spread of prostate cancer.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking enzalutamide and each time you get
a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Swallow the capsules or
tablets whole with enough water to make sure that you can completely
swallow the medication. If you have trouble swallowing the capsules or
tablets whole, ask your doctor if you can be switched to a smaller tablet
size. Do not chew, dissolve, or open the capsules. Do not cut, crush, or
chew the tablets.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response
to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your
doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including
prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal
products).
Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often
than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk
of side effects will increase.
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
capsules or tablets.
Hot flashes, headache, dizziness, or decreased sexual
interest/ability may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell
your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- back pain
- numbness/tingling/weakness/pain of the arms or legs
- falls
- broken bones
- pink/red urine
This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check
your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are
high.
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- headache that doesn't go away
- decreased alertness
- seizure
- sudden vision changes
- mental/mood changes (such as memory problems,
confusion)
- signs of a heart attack (such as chest/jaw/left arm pain,
shortness of breath, unusual sweating)
This medication may lower your ability to fight
infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal)
infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor right away
if you have any signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go
away, fever, chills, cough).
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking enzalutamide, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic
reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more
details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- high blood pressure
- seizures
- risk factors for having seizures (such as brain injury,
stroke, brain tumor)
- heart disease (such as angina/chest pain, heart attack)
- diabetes
- high cholesterol or fats (triglycerides) in your blood
- falls
- broken bones
Since this medication may rarely cause seizures in some
people, ask your doctor if you should avoid activities where a sudden loss
of consciousness may cause serious harm to you or others.
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
capsules or tablets.
This medication should not be used in women, especially
during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It may harm an unborn or breastfeeding
baby. Consult your doctor for more details.
Men who have a pregnant partner must use a condom during
sexual activity during enzalutamide treatment and for 3 months after
treatment has stopped. Men with a female partner of childbearing age who is
not pregnant should use a condom and another form of birth control during
enzalutamide treatment and for 3 months after treatment has stopped. Ask
your doctor for more details. If your partner becomes pregnant or thinks
she may be pregnant, tell the doctor right away.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of enzalutamide
from your body, which may affect how enzalutamide works. Examples include
seizure medications (such as phenobarbital, phenytoin), St. John's wort,
among others.
Enzalutamide can speed up the removal of other
medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of
affected drugs include asunaprevir, cobicistat, ergot alkaloids (such as
dihydroergotamine, ergotamine), fentanyl, lurasidone, pimozide, quinidine,
sirolimus, suvorexant, tacrolimus, voriconazole, among
others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include
seizures.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure) should
be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab
appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.