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Home > Drug Category > Cancer Medications > Erleada and Equivalent

Erleada Information

Erleada (apalutamide) tablets are used for the treatment of prostate cancer. It is specifically indicated for:
• Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (NM-CRPC): This is prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body but is no longer responding to treatments that lower testosterone levels (castration).
• Metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC): This is prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body but still responds to treatments that lower testosterone levels (castration).

Apalutamide is an androgen receptor inhibitor. Androgens, such as testosterone, can stimulate the growth of prostate cancer cells. Erleada works by blocking the effects of androgens by binding to the androgen receptor, preventing its activation, nuclear translocation, and binding to DNA. This effectively interrupts the signalling pathway that promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation and survival. This leads to reduced prostate cancer cell growth and progression, helping to delay metastasis or prolong survival. Erleada delivers the active substance apalutamide, which specifically targets the androgen receptor, helping to manage both non-metastatic and metastatic forms of prostate cancer.

Erleada Side Effects

The most common side effects of Erleada may include fatigue, joint pain (arthralgia), rash, decreased appetite, falls, weight loss, excessive hair growth, altered taste, high blood pressure (hypertension), hot flashes, diarrhea, and fractures. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects, such as:
• Bloody diarrhea
• Chest pain
• Fractures and falls: new or worsening pain, difficulty moving
• Heart Disease, Stroke, or Mini-Stroke: chest pain or discomfort at rest or with activity, shortness of breath, numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body), trouble talking or understanding, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, or difficulty walking
• Lung problems (Interstitial Lung Disease/Pneumonitis): new or worsening shortness of breath, cough, fever
• Neutropenia (low white blood cell count)
• Seizures: loss of consciousness or convulsions
• Severe skin reactions: severe rash or rash that continues to get worse, fever or flu-like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes, blisters or sores in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, or genital area, blistering or peeling of the skin
• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, breathing difficulties, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat

Erleada Precautions

Do not use Erleada if you are allergic to apalutamide or other ingredients in this medication. Erleada is not for use in women who are or may become pregnant. Before you start using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, including if you have a history of heart disease (including heart attack or stroke), high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or other fats in your blood (dyslipidemia), a history of seizures, a brain injury or tumour, or lung problems. Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be a drug interaction between Erleada and other medications, such as drugs that are substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), BCRP, or OATP1B1 (e.g., warfarin, midazolam, omeprazole, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, digoxin, dabigatran, fexofenadine, certain HIV medications like cabotegravir, doravirine, fostemsavir, lenacapavir, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir). Taking certain other medicines during treatment with Erleada may lead to drug interactions that reduce the effectiveness of Erleada, cause unexpected side effects, or increase the action of Erleada. Avoid consuming grapefruit, starfruit, Seville oranges, or their juices while taking this drug, as they can increase the levels of apalutamide in your body and increase the risk of side effects. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant before using Erleada. Erleada can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Males who have female partners who can become pregnant should use effective contraception (e.g., condoms) during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of Erleada. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed before using Erleada. It is not known if apalutamide passes into breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment with Erleada and for 1 week after the last dose due to the potential for severe adverse reactions in breastfed infants. Do not use this medicine in children without talking to your doctor. The safety and effectiveness of Erleada in children have not been established.

Use your medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Erleada comes as a tablet. Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush, chew, or split it. You can take Erleada with or without food. The recommended dose is 240 mg (four 60 mg tablets or one 240 mg tablet) administered orally once daily. Patients should also receive a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog concurrently or should have had a bilateral orchiectomy (surgical castration). If you miss a dose, take your usual dose as soon as possible on the same day. Return to your regular schedule on the following day; do not take extra tablets to make up the missed dose. Take Erleada at the same time(s) each day to help you remember. Your doctor may order regular blood tests to monitor your PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels, heart health, and other parameters, and may reduce your dose, temporarily stop, or permanently stop treatment if you have specific side effects. Treatment should continue until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Do not donate sperm during treatment with Erleada and for 3 months after the last dose. Store Erleada at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep all medicines out of reach of children.

Do I need a prescription to order Erleada?

Yes, a prescription is required from your physician to order Erleada.