Enzalutamide
About
Enzalutamide belongs to a group of medicines known as androgen receptor inhibitors. It is used to treat prostate cancer. Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific body part grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can attack and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs. Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that only occurs in men and affects the prostate gland, a tiny gland under the bladder that produces semen.
Enzalutamide contains Enzalutamide, an androgen receptor blocker (inhibitor). Enzalutamide blocks testosterone from reaching prostate cancer cells. Most prostate cancers require testosterone to grow. This can slow the growth of the cancer and may shrink it.
Use this medicine as directed by your doctor. You may sometimes experience trouble breathing (pneumonia), weakness or feeling more tired than usual, back pain, diarrhoea, pain in your joints, swelling (in your hands, arms, legs or feet), muscle or bone pain, muscle weakness, headache, cold-like symptoms, dizziness, high blood pressure and trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia). Most of these side effects may gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, consult your doctor.
Enzalutamide is only for use in men. Men using this Enzalutamide must use effective birth control whenever they have sex during your treatment and for three months after their final dose. In rare cases, Enzalutamide may cause seizures, so tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures. Because of the risk of seizure associated with Enzalutamide use, patients should be advised of the risk of engaging in any activity where sudden loss of consciousness could cause serious harm to themselves or others. Consumption of alcohol is strictly avoided.
Uses of Enzalutamide
Medicinal Benefits
Enzalutamide contains Enzalutamide, which belongs to a group of medicines known as androgen receptor inhibitors. Most prostate cancers require testosterone to grow. In men, the testicles produce the majority of testosterone. Adrenal glands (Just above each kidney) produce a small quantity of testosterone. Enzalutamide is preventing testosterone from reaching cancer cells in the prostate. This can inhibit the growth of the cancer and even cause it to shrink.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Enzalutamide
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Being sick (vomiting)
- Asthenia/fatigue/weakness
- Back pain
- Diarrhea
- Cold like symptoms
- Arthralgia (joint pain)
- Hot flush
- Peripheral edema
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Headache
- Upper respiratory infection
- Muscular weakness
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Lower respiratory infection
- Spinal cord compression
- Cauda equina syndrome
- Hematuria (blood in urine)
- Paresthesia (tingling or prickling sensation)
- Anxiety
- Hypertension
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Enzalutamide if you are allergic or hypersensitive to any component present in it. You must take Enzalutamide according to the instructions your doctor or pharmacist gives you. You must take Enzalutamide exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. You must take the correct dose, not more or less. Consult your healthcare team before discontinuing Enzalutamide or missing a dose. Talk to your doctor before taking Enzalutamide if you have severe allergic reactions to medicines or foods or suffer from any medical illness. Use a condom or effective birth control method if you are having sex with pregnant women or women who can become pregnant.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Enzalutamide interacts with anticoagulants (e.g. apixaban), medicines used in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (e.g. apremilast), cancer drugs (e.g. bosutinib, dasatinib), antidepressants (e.g. citalopram, escitalopram), immunomodulating medication (e.g. fingolimod), opiate analgesics (e.g. hydrocodone) and antibiotics (e.g. moxifloxacin).
Drug-Food Interactions: Do not drink Alcoholic beverages while treated with Enzalutamide. It can affect the way the medicine works.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor before taking the Enzalutamide if you suffer from Infections (bacterial/fungal/protozoal/viral), severe renal or hepatic dysfunctions and seizures, as it requires close monitoring.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Enzalutamide.
Pregnancy
unsafeEnzalutamide is only for use in men. Women should not take this medication.
Breast Feeding
unsafeEnzalutamide is only for use in men. Women should not take this medication.
Driving
cautionEnzalutamide may affect your reactions and your ability to drive. Do not drive and/or operate machines that require your alertness.
Liver
consult your doctorIn patients with mild or moderate liver impairment, there is no need to alter the initial dose. There is no information available on patients with severe liver impairment.
Kidney
consult your doctorIn patients with mild or moderate kidney impairment, there is no need to alter the initial dose. There is no information available on patients with severe kidney impairment.
Children
cautionThe safety and effectiveness of Enzalutamide in pediatric patients have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath or listening to soothing music.
- Performing yoga may also help in improving both physical and mental health.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to maintain proper weight.
- Include leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, fatty fish, berries, yoghurt, apples, peaches, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, beans, and herbs.
- Get optimal sleep; rest well.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Avoid fast, fried, processed meats, refined carbs and added sugars.
Special Advise
- Enzalutamide should be taken under strict medical supervision. The doctor will regularly monitor your condition while taking Enzalutamide.
- Your doctor may get routine blood tests done to monitor your liver function, electrolyte levels, and blood cell count in your blood.
- Peripheral blood counts should be frequently monitored during Enzalutamide treatment and, when appropriate, until recovery is achieved.
- Do not donate sperm during treatment with Enzalutamide for three months after your last dose.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Cancer: Cancer is a condition where cells in a specific body part grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs. Cancer sometimes begins in one body part before spreading to other areas.
Prostate cancer: Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that only occurs in men and affects the prostate gland, a tiny gland under the bladder that produces semen. Inability to urinate easily, pain, numbness, or sexual issues are among the symptoms. For men, it is the most typical type of cancer. Although the exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown, it may be brought on by family history, chemical exposure, or both. Prostate cancer risk factors include a family history of the disease, advanced age, obesity, and genetic changes.
FAQs
Most prostate cancers require testosterone to grow. Enzalutamide contains Enzalutamide, which blocks testosterone, a hormone, from reaching prostate cancer cells. Thus, Enzalutamide can slow the cancer's growth and cause it to shrink.
Enzalutamide is only for use in men. Women should not take this medication, especially if they are or may become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
In some cases, Enzalutamide may cause decreased fertility in men. However, you should not assume that your female partner cannot become pregnant. Please discuss with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Enzalutamide, a prostate cancer medication, is used to treat prostate cancer.
Seizures may occur in patients receiving Enzalutamide. So, patients who have had a seizure, please inform your doctor about your condition. Your doctor may monitor your condition closely.
Yes, Enzalutamide was generally a well-tolerated medication. Take Enzalutamide pills exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Do not change your dose or stop taking Enzalutamide unless your healthcare physician instructs you. If you encounter side symptoms, your healthcare provider may temporarily discontinue your Enzalutamide therapy or adjust your Enzalutamide dose.
