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Home > Drug Category > Cancer Medications > Xtandi and Equivalent

Xtandi Information

Xtandi (Enzalutamide) is a type of hormone therapy primarily used to treat various stages of prostate cancer. It is used in the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer, including both metastatic and non-metastatic cases where the cancer continues to grow even when testosterone levels are surgically or medically lowered to very low levels. It is also used in the treatment of non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer, where the cancer growth can be reduced with surgically or medically lowered testosterone and hasn't spread, but shows a high risk of doing so. It is also used in the treatment of metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer, whose progression and growth can be halted by testosterone reduction (or castration) and spread to other parts of the body, but still responds to hormone therapy.

The active ingredient is enzalutamide, a medication in the androgen receptor inhibitor class. Prostate cancer cells often depend on male hormones like testosterone to multiply. Even when a person undergoes treatment to lower their testosterone levels, some cancer cells can still find ways to use the tiny amounts of hormones left in the body to keep growing. Enzalutamide helps by directly blocking the cancer cells' ability to process these hormones. It stops cancer from growing by interfering with how cells receive signals from male hormones (androgens). By cutting off this growth signal, the medication helps to shrink tumors, lower prostate-specific antigen levels, and give the patient more time before the cancer spreads further into the bones or other organs.

Xtandi Side Effects

Like other medications, enzalutamide is associated with some side effects. Some common side effects of this medication include muscle and joint pain, feeling more tired than usual, hot flashes, constipation, decreased appetite, diarrhea, high blood pressure, bleeding problems, falls, bone fractures, and headache. Contact your doctor if these mild side effects persist or worsen.

Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects, including the following:
• Allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties, body itching, body rash, skin blistering, swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, lips, or throat;
• Heart problems such as chest pain or discomfort at rest or with activity, or shortness of breath;
• Bone pain, fractures, or frequent falls;
• Seizures (the risk is higher in patients with a history of seizures, brain injury, or those taking other threshold-lowering medications);
• Sepsis (blood infection) with symptoms like fever, dizziness, chills, very high or very low body temperature, and low blood pressure;
• Swallowing problems or choking;
• Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with symptoms like headache, decreased alertness, confusion, reduced eyesight, blurred vision, or other visual problems

Inform your doctor about any other side effects you notice that are not listed here.

Xtandi Precautions

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to enzalutamide, other ingredients in Xtandi, or any other medications. Before you start taking this medication, ensure that you inform your doctor about any prior or current medical conditions, including the following:
• Abnormal blood cholesterol levels;
• Bone problems such as osteoporosis;
• Heart disease;
• High blood pressure;
• Liver disease;
• Neutropenia;
• Seizure disorders;
• Stroke or other forms of brain injury

Enzalutamide may impair your mental abilities, driving, or your ability to operate machinery safely. Some people have reported memory loss and loss of consciousness. Therefore, avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks until you have determined how this medication affects you. Xtandi is not for use in women and is highly dangerous to an unborn baby. It can cause congenital disabilities or pregnancy loss. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not handle this medication (tablets or capsules) without gloves. Because the drug can be present in semen, men taking Xtandi who have female partners of childbearing age must use a condom and another effective birth control method during treatment and for 3 months after the final dose. The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

Enzalutamide can interfere with medications like warfarin, requiring more frequent blood tests to ensure your blood is clotting correctly. It can also make some strong pain relievers (opioids like fentanyl or oxycodone) less effective. Therefore, before taking this medication, inform your doctor about any other medications you are currently taking, including herbal medicines, to determine if it is safe to use along with Xtandi. Take one 160 mg dose of Xtandi every day at the same time, or as directed by your doctor, depending on your condition. Swallow the tablets whole with water. You may take this medication with or without food, but do not chew, dissolve, or open the tablets or capsules. Check out the leaflet in the medication pack for more usage instructions. Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do I need a prescription to order Xtandi?

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