Has your doctor prescribed Enzalutamide for you or someone in your family? You may have questions and even a little fear about this drug, which is used to treat prostate cancer. That's normal. That's what happens when you learn about a new drug. But don't worry, we'll talk about this drug in a clear and simple way, how it affects the body, how to use it properly, and what to watch out for.
Simply put, what is Enzalutamide?
Enzalutamide is
a drug used to treat prostate cancer. It comes in pill form. Now let's look at how it works. Think of cancer cells as little engines that run on fuel. The main fuel for prostate cancer cells is the male hormone
testosterone . As long as this hormone is present, cancer cells grow and spread well. Enzalutamide does a very simple thing. It prevents the cancer cells from using the hormone testosterone. It's like blocking the oil line to an engine. So when the fuel is gone, the cancer cells lose or greatly reduce their ability to grow and spread. Sometimes doctors may also prescribe this drug for other conditions. So if you have any questions about why you've been given this drug, ask your doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
It is very important that your doctor has a complete picture of your health before you start taking Enzalutamide. This will help you decide whether this medicine is right for you and what you need to be especially careful about. If you have any of the following conditions,
be sure to tell your doctor.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|
| If you have an allergic reaction to enzalutamide or any other medicine, food, or dye. | This is essential to avoid serious allergic reactions. |
| If you have had seizures before, a brain tumor, a head injury, or a stroke. | Enzalutamide may slightly increase the risk of seizures, so it is important for your doctor to be aware of these conditions. |
| If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol levels in your blood | Because this medication can affect heart health, it is important that your doctor is aware of your heart condition. |
| If you have bone problems | This treatment can affect bone strength, so care needs to be taken. |
| If your partner is pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | This is very important information because this medicine can harm an unborn baby. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of a medication, it is very important to use it correctly.
- Take your medicine on time: Try to take your medicine at the same time every day , as prescribed by your doctor. This will help keep the levels of the medicine in your body consistent.
- Swallow the tablet: Do not break, crush, or chew this tablet. Swallow it whole with a little water.
- With or without food: You can take this medicine with or without food. However, if you experience stomach upset after taking the medicine, it is best to take the medicine with some food.
- Don't stop: Don't stop taking your medication until your doctor tells you to. It's important to complete the course of treatment, even if you feel better.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
We don't always remember everything. So it's possible to miss a dose of medication. If that happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and just take the next pill at the scheduled time.
Very important: Never take two pills at once to make up for a missed dose. This can directly increase the dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't panic. But don't take it lightly either. Go to the nearest hospital's
Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately . Or, call
the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Other medications that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Other medications you are taking can interact with Enzalutamide and affect how it works. Sometimes the effects of Enzalutamide may be reduced, and sometimes the side effects may be increased. Therefore,
it is important to tell your doctor
about all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, bought from the pharmacy, vitamins, herbal medicines, traditional medicines). Below are some medications that may interact with Enzalutamide.
Never take Enzalutamide with these medications: Certain antiviral medications used to treat conditions such as HIV or Hepatitis (e.g. atazanavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir, rilpivirine). If you are taking these medications, be sure to tell
your doctor before starting Enzalutamide.
| Artemether | Lonafarnib, Lorlatinib, Lurasidone |
| Praziquantel, Ranolazine | Some medications for fungal infections (e.g. isavuconazonium, voriconazole) |
| Painkillers (e.g. Alfentanil, Fentanyl) | Anticonvulsant medications (e.g. Carbamazepine, Phenytoin) |
| Blood thinners (e.g. Clopidogrel, Warfarin) | Immune-suppressing drugs (e.g. Cyclosporine, Sirolimus, Tacrolimus) |
| Medicines for tuberculosis (e.g. Rifampin, Rifabutin) | St. John's wort (herbal medicine) |
| Omeprazole, Gemfibrozil, Midazolam, Pimozide, Quinidine | Ergot alkaloids (e.g. ergotamine) |
Remember: This list is not complete, so it's best to talk to your doctor about anything you take.
Things to keep in mind while taking the medicine
- Visiting the doctor: When you are undergoing this treatment, the doctor will monitor your condition regularly. So, do not miss the scheduled clinic appointments.
- Pregnancy and birth control : This is very important . Enzalutamide can cause serious birth defects in an unborn baby. Therefore:
- If your partner is able to get pregnant, be sure to use a condom during sexual intercourse while you are taking this medicine and for 3 months after stopping the medicine.
- If your partner is pregnant or suspects that she is pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
- Fertility : This medication may affect your fertility. If you have any concerns or questions about this, talk to your doctor about it.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like all medicines, Enzalutamide can cause side effects in some people, although not everybody gets them. Some side effects are serious and should be treated immediately by a doctor. Some side effects are not serious, but they can be bothersome.
Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately Common side effects that should be reported to your doctor if they persist or are bothersome
| Side effect | Description |
|---|
| Serious allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Tightness or pain in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, feeling cold, or fainting. |
| Seizures | Sudden loss of consciousness, body tremors, uncontrollable shaking of the limbs. |
| Loss of balance | Stumbling while walking, loss of body coordination. |
| PRES syndrome | Sudden onset of severe headache, confusion, vision changes, and seizures. These may be symptoms of a condition called Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES). |
| Back pain | General back pain. |
| Digestive system problems | Constipation or diarrhea. |
| Changes in the body | Hot flashes, unusual tiredness or weakness. |
| Increase in blood pressure | Your doctor will monitor this. |
| Loss of appetite | Decreased desire to eat. |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual in addition to these, please ask your doctor about it.
How do you store and dispose of medication?
- Store safely: Keep medication out of the reach of children and pets .
- Temperature : Store at room temperature (20-25 degrees Celsius) in a dry place. Keep the bottle tightly closed.
- Expired Medicine: Never use medicine that has passed its expiration date.
- Disposal: Do not flush unwanted medications down the toilet. To dispose of them safely, take the pills out of the bottle, mix them with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, and place them in a tightly sealed polythene bag and dispose of them in the trash. This will prevent the medication from falling into the wrong hands.
Take-Home Message
- Enzalutamide is a drug used to treat prostate cancer that blocks the action of the hormone testosterone.
- Always take the pill exactly as your doctor tells you to. Do not break, crush, or chew the pill.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies you are taking.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as chest pain, seizures, or sudden severe headache, seek medical advice immediately.
- If your partner is able to get pregnant, it is essential to use a condom during sexual intercourse during treatment and for 3 months after stopping it.
- Talk openly with your doctor about any questions or concerns you have.
Enzalutamide, prostate cancer, prostate cancer, cancer medication, testosterone, hormone therapy, XTANDI, cancer side effects, men's health
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