Apalutamide: Dosage, Uses and Side Effects

Introduction

Apalutamide is a medicine in the nonsteroidal antiandrogen (NSAA) class. It is used to treat prostate cancer, which affects the male reproductive gland. Prostate cancer can spread to other regions of the body, including the bones, lungs, and liver. This is referred to as metastatic prostate cancer.

Apalutamide inhibits the action of androgens, which are male hormones that promote the growth of prostate cancer cells. Apalutamide is used in conjunction with another way of lowering androgen levels in the body, such as testicular surgery (orchiectomy) or injections of a medicine that prevents the testicles from producing androgens (gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue, or GnRH analogue).

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved apalutamide for two particular indications:

• Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (NM-CRPC), which is prostate cancer that has not migrated to other areas of the body but continues to grow despite low androgen levels.
• The therapy of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC), a type of prostate cancer that has spread to other areas of the body and responds to androgen suppression.

Dosage

Apalutamide is available as oral tablets containing 60 mg of the active component. The suggested daily dose is 240 mg (four pills) taken with or without food. The tablets must be consumed whole, without being crushed, chewed, or broken.

Apalutamide should be taken every day at the same time. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember the next day. If you miss a dose for an entire day, skip it and resume your regular dosing schedule. To make up for a missing dose, do not take two doses at the same time.

Take apalutamide until your doctor instructs you to stop. Your dose may be adjusted by your doctor based on your response to therapy, side effects, or other considerations.

Uses

Apalutamide is used to treat prostate cancer that has either not spread or has gone to other parts of the body (NM-CRPC). Apalutamide is used in both circumstances in conjunction with another technique of reducing testosterone levels in the body, such as surgery or injections.

By preventing androgen availability, apalutamide may help delay or prevent the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. Apalutamide may also assist some men with prostate cancer improve their survival and quality of life.

Apalutamide is not a prostate cancer treatment. It has no effect on the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a marker of prostate cancer activity, in your blood. While taking apalutamide, you will still require regular tests and exams to monitor your condition.

Some people may experience negative effects from apalutamide. The following are some of the most common negative effects:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Rash
• Weight reduction
• Appetite suppression
• Flashes of heat
• Joint discomfort
• Blood pressure that is too high
• Thyroid hormone deficiency

Some adverse effects can be severe and necessitate medical intervention. These are some examples:

• Seizures: If you have a history of seizures or other risk factors, apalutamide may increase your risk of experiencing one. If you suffer a seizure while taking apalutamide, call your doctor right away.
• Apalutamide may weaken your bones and muscles, increasing your risk of falls and fractures. If you suffer any falls or injuries while taking apalutamide, notify your doctor.
• Infections: Apalutamide may reduce your white blood cell count, which aids in the battle against infections. If you experience any signs of infection, such as a fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or pain while urinating, contact your doctor.
• Adverse Reactions: Some persons may experience adverse reactions to apalutamide. Inform your doctor if you develop any symptoms of an allergic response, such as a rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

This is not an exhaustive list of potential negative effects. Consult your doctor or chemist for additional information.

Side Effects

Apalutamide may interact with any medications, herbs, or supplements you are taking. Some of these interactions may impair apalutamide's effectiveness or increase your risk of negative effects.

The following medications may interact with apalutamide:

• Apalutamide may enhance the impact of warfarin, a blood thinner that prevents blood clots. This could raise your chances of bleeding. While using apalutamide, your doctor may need to alter your warfarin dose or closely monitor your blood tests.
• Apalutamide may raise the level of digoxin, a heart drug that controls your heartbeat. This may result in nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or an irregular heartbeat. While using apalutamide, your doctor may need to alter your digoxin dose or constantly check your blood levels.
• CYP3A4 inducers: Apalutamide is broken down in your liver by an enzyme called CYP3A4. Some medications can enhance the activity of this enzyme, lowering the amount of apalutamide in your body and making it less effective. Among these medications are carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, and St. John's wort. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medications or if you intend to start or stop taking them while taking apalutamide.
• Some medicines can reduce the function of CYP3A4, which can raise the level of apalutamide in your body and produce greater negative effects. Clarithromycin, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, and grapefruit juice are examples of these medications. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medications or if you intend to start or stop taking them while taking apalutamide.

This isn't an exhaustive list of interactions. Consult your doctor or chemist for additional information.

FAQ

Some frequently asked questions concerning apalutamide are as follows:

Q: Is apalutamide a chemotherapy medication?

A. No, apalutamide is not a chemotherapy medication. Chemotherapy medications are cytotoxic chemicals that directly kill cancer cells. Apalutamide is a hormone treatment medication that inhibits androgen action on prostate cancer cells.

Q: Can I consume alcohol while on apalutamide?

A: Apalutamide and alcohol do not have any known interactions. However, alcohol may exacerbate some of apalutamide's negative effects, such as exhaustion, nausea, or diarrhoea. It may also impair your liver function, which is required for apalutamide metabolism. As a result, when taking apalutamide, it is best to minimise or prevent alcohol consumption.

Q: Can I take apalutamide while eating?

A: Apalutamide can be taken with or without food. To keep a consistent level of the medicine in your body, you should take it at the same time every day.

Q: How long should I take apalutamide?

A: The duration of treatment with apalutamide is determined by your reaction to therapy and the advice of your doctor. Continue taking apalutamide until your doctor tells you to stop.

Q: What should I do if I take too much apalutamide?

A: Contact your doctor or a poison control centre right away if you believe you have taken too much apalutamide. Overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, disorientation, and seizures. If you have any of these symptoms or are having difficulty breathing, seek emergency medical treatment.