Abitra Tablet

Abitra Tablet is used in the treatment of cancer of the prostate gland. It may be also used to treat other conditions, as determined by the doctor. It is sometimes used with certain other medicines as part of combination chemotherapy.

Abitra Tablet should not be taken on an empty stomach. Taking it with food may cause side effects. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.The most common side effects of this medicine include vomiting, decreased potassium level in blood, edema (swelling), decreased white blood cell count, fatigue and increased liver enzymes. If these bother you or appear serious, let your doctor know. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them.  Other than this, yellowing of skin, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, dark urine and nausea can happen, which indicate some liver problem. Your doctor might check you for liver function, blood pressure, and the level of potassium in your blood.Before taking it, tell your doctor if have high blood pressure, heart problem, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It may harm your baby. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy.  You may be asked for regular monitoring of blood glucose level while on treatment.

Prostate cancer

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Abitra Tablet is to be taken empty stomach.

Abitra Tablet is an anticancer medication. It works by preventing androgen (male hormone) production in man. This is done by inhibiting an enzyme (CYP17) that is responsible for the production of androgen. This is how it slows down the growth of prostate cancer.

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Abitra Tablet treats prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

It is usually taken with another medicine called prednisolone to reduce unwanted side effects.

It must be taken on an empty stomach. Don’t eat any food for at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after your dose.

Always use effective birth control measures to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.

Your doctor may regularly monitor your liver function, blood pressure, and the level of potassium in your blood while you are having treatment with this medicine.

Q. Can Abitra Tablet cure prostate cancer?

Abitra Tablet does not cure cancer but helps in prolonging and improving the life of the patient. Moreover, when prostate cancer is treated with Abitra Tablet then the frequency of fractures is relatively less. Similarly, the increase in pain is less common with Abitra Tablet.

Q. Is Abitra Tablet a chemotherapy drug?

Abitra Tablet is a hormonal treatment not a chemotherapy drug. It is used to treat prostate cancer in adult men that has spread to other parts of the body. Abitra Tablet stops your body from making testosterone. This can slow down the growth of prostate cancer.

Q. Why do I need to take prednisolone with Abitra Tablet?

Your doctor will always prescribe prednisolone with Abitra Tablet. Taking these two medicines together lowers the risk of getting high blood pressure, fluid retention (having too much water in your body), or having reduced levels of potassium in your blood, which can occur due to Abitra Tablet.

Q. Does Abitra Tablet affect liver?

Abitra Tablet can cause severe liver problems. In very rare cases, Abitra Tablet may even cause failure of the liver to function (called acute liver failure), which can even lead to death. Tell your doctor if you experience yellowing of the skin or eyes, darkening of the urine, or severe nausea or vomiting, as these could be signs or symptoms of liver problems.

Q. How frequently should the liver investigations be done?

Liver enzymes should be measured prior to starting the treatment, every two weeks for the first three months into the treatment, and monthly thereafter. If you develop clinical symptoms or signs suggestive of liver toxicity, liver enzymes should be measured immediately. If the liver enzyme levels are increased beyond certain levels, your doctor may temporarily discontinue the treatment with Abitra Tablet.

Q. How to take Abitra Tablet?

Abitra Tablet should be taken on an empty stomach with water 1 hour before eating or at least 2 hours after eating. Taking it with food may cause increased and variable levels of Abitra Tablet in your blood which can be harmful. Remember not to crush or chew the tablet.

In Prostate cancer

Prostate gland is a small walnut-sized gland that produces a fluid called seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperms in males. The most common symptom of prostate cancer is difficulty with urination, but sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Abitra Tablet decreases or stops the growth of cancer cells by decreasing the amount of testosterone (natural hormone in males) in men. This also relieves difficulty in passing urine and makes it easier for you to urinate.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Altered blood sugar level

Increased levels of blood fat

Joint swelling

Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)

Cough

High blood pressure

Diarrhea

Urinary tract infection

Anemia (low number of red blood cells)

Increased liver enzymes

Fatigue

Decreased white blood cell count

Decreased potassium level in blood

Vomiting

Edema (swelling)

Alcohol:CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Abitra Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy:UNSAFE

Abitra Tablet is highly unsafe to use during pregnancy. Seek your doctor’s advice as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown significant harmful effects to the developing baby.

Breast feeding:UNSAFE

Abitra Tablet is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.

Driving:SAFE

Abitra Tablet does not usually affect your ability to drive.

Kidney:SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Abitra Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Abitra Tablet is recommended.Because of the limited information, cautious use of Abitra Tablet is recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.

Liver:CAUTION

Abitra Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Abitra Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

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