Apalutamide

Drug Class:	Commonly Known As:	Category:
Antiandrogen	Erleada	Adult

Apalutamide - What is it for

Apalutamide is used to treat prostate cancer which has not spread to other parts of the body and does not respond to treatment that reduces the production of androgens (male sex hormones which increase the growth of prostate cancer cells).
Apalutamide works by blocking the effect of androgens.

Apalutamide - Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications

What side effects can Apalutamide cause?

Feeling tired or weak

Be careful of falls and take measures to prevent them e.g. wear non-slip shoes, keep the house free of clutter, keep away from darkly-lit places

Increased blood pressure

Monitor your blood pressure regularly and record it down. Inform your doctor if you notice an increasing trend.

Increased cholesterol levels
Rash
Hot flushes (feeling of warmth)

If this affects you, take Apalutamide at bedtime. However if night sweats affect your sleep, take Apalutamide in the morning instead.

Take cool showers and where possible, stay in a cool place

Joint pain
Swelling of hands or feet

Lift up your feet when sitting down

Nausea, decreased appetite

Take small, frequent meals throughout the day

Diarrhea

Drink plenty of clear fluids to replace those lost (two litres everyday)

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

Frequent falls
Chest pain, shortness of breath, fast or abnormal heartbeat
Seizures
Symptoms of a drug allergy including one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Before taking Apalutamide , what precautions must I follow?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication
Your partner becomes pregnant

You should use effective birth control during and for at least three months after stopping treatment

You have any other medical conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure or a history of seizures or epilepsy
You are taking or intend to take any other medications (e.g. warfarin), supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies

What food or medicine must I avoid when I take Apalutamide ?

Apalutamide - Dosage and How to Use

How should Apalutamide be used?

Take Apalutamide once a day
You can take it with or without food
Do not break or crush the tablet. Swallow the tablet whole.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have difficulty swallowing

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Return to your normal schedule the next day. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for the missed dose.