If you or someone in your family has just been prescribed enzalutamide by your doctor, you likely have many questions and perhaps a bit of worry. Feeling that way is completely normal when you are facing a new and unfamiliar medicine.
Do not worry, as we will walk through everything you need to know about this drug in clear and simple terms. We will look at how it works in your body, how to take it correctly, and what important safety steps you should keep in mind.
Key Takeaways
- Enzalutamide is an oral medicine used to treat prostate cancer by blocking testosterone from fueling cancer cells.
- Take your medicine at the exact same time every day, and swallow the tablets whole without chewing or crushing them.
- Tell your doctor about every other medicine, supplement, or herbal product you take to avoid dangerous drug interactions.
- Use reliable birth control like condoms during treatment and for three months after stopping if your partner can become pregnant.
- Seek medical help right away if you experience serious side effects such as chest pain, seizures, or severe headaches.
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What Is Enzalutamide and How Does It Work?
Enzalutamide is a specialized prescription medicine used to treat prostate cancer. It comes in the form of oral tablets that you take by mouth.
To understand how it helps, think of cancer cells as tiny engines that run on specific fuel. For prostate cancer cells, the primary fuel is testosterone, which is a male hormone. As long as this hormone is present, the cancer cells can grow and spread.
Enzalutamide works in a very straightforward way by blocking testosterone from reaching or entering the cancer cells. This action is much like shutting off the fuel line to an engine. Without that fuel, the cancer cells lose their ability to grow and multiply.
Sometimes, doctors may also prescribe this medicine for other medical conditions based on your specific health needs. If you have questions about why your doctor chose this treatment for you, feel free to ask them during your next visit.
Things to Tell Your Doctor Before Starting Treatment
Before you take your first dose of enzalutamide, giving your doctor a complete picture of your health history is vital. This information helps your doctor decide if this medicine is safe for you and what precautions to take. If any of the following situations apply to you, let your doctor know right away.
| Health Condition or Situation | Why It Matters for Your Safety |
|---|---|
| Allergies to enzalutamide, other medicines, foods, or dyes | Sharing this helps prevent severe allergic reactions before they happen. |
| History of seizures, brain tumors, head injuries, or strokes | Enzalutamide can slightly increase the risk of seizures in vulnerable people. |
| Heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol | This medicine can impact your cardiovascular health and requires careful monitoring. |
| Existing bone problems or weak bones | Prostate cancer treatments can affect bone strength and density over time. |
| Partner is pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding | The medicine can cause serious harm to an unborn child. |
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Check Availability →How to Take This Medicine Correctly
To get the best results from your medicine, following your doctor's exact instructions is essential.
Take your dose at the exact same time every day as prescribed by your doctor. Keeping a steady schedule helps maintain a stable level of the medicine in your body.
Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water. Never break, crush, chew, or open the tablets.
You can take this medicine either with food or on an empty stomach. However, if the medicine upsets your stomach, taking it with a small meal or snack can help.
Do not stop taking your medicine without talking to your doctor first. Even if you start feeling better, finishing the full course of treatment is important.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
It is easy to forget things in our busy daily lives, and you might miss a dose of your medicine. If this happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it.
However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose entirely. Simply return to your normal routine and take your next single pill at the usual time.
Important Safety Warning
Never take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed pill. Doubling up can dangerously increase the level of medicine in your body and raise your risk of severe side effects.
What to Do in Case of an Overdose
If you suspect that you or someone else has taken too much enzalutamide, do not panic, but take action quickly. Contact emergency services right away or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Other Medicines That Can Interact with Enzalutamide
Other medicines you take can interact with enzalutamide, changing how well it works or increasing your risk of side effects. For this reason, you must give your doctor a complete list of everything you take.
Include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products like St. John's wort. Several categories of drugs are known to interact with enzalutamide:
- Certain antiviral medicines used for HIV or hepatitis infections.
- Specific antifungal drugs used to treat stubborn infections.
- Certain pain relievers and opioid medicines.
- Seizure control medicines and anticonvulsants.
- Blood-thinning drugs used to prevent blood clots.
- Immunosuppressant drugs used after organ transplants.
- Medicines used for tuberculosis treatment.
This list is not exhaustive, so reviewing every product you eat with your doctor or pharmacist is the safest approach.
Important Precautions During Your Treatment
While you are taking enzalutamide, keeping certain precautions in mind will protect your health and the health of those around you.
Attend all scheduled doctor appointments and blood tests so your care team can monitor your progress and catch any issues early.
Protecting against pregnancy is extremely important because enzalutamide can cause severe birth defects. If your partner can become pregnant, use a reliable barrier method such as a condom during treatment and for at least three months after your final dose.
If your partner becomes pregnant or suspects she is pregnant while you are taking this medicine, notify your doctor right away. Discuss any concerns you have about your fertility with your care team as well.
Possible Side Effects of Enzalutamide
Like all medicines, enzalutamide can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. Some side effects require immediate medical attention. This others are mild and manageable.
Seek medical care right away if you experience serious warning signs:
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction such as skin rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and trouble breathing.
- Symptoms of a heart attack including chest pressure or pain, pain spreading to your shoulder or arm, sudden shortness of breath, or cold sweats.
- A seizure, which involves sudden loss of consciousness or uncontrolled shaking of the limbs.
- Loss of balance or trouble walking steadily.
- Signs of PRES syndrome, which include a severe sudden headache, confusion, or sudden changes in your vision.
Common side effects that are generally less severe include occasional back pain, constipation, diarrhea, hot flashes, physical fatigue, increased blood pressure, and a reduced appetite.
How to Store and Dispose of Your Medicine Properly
Store your enzalutamide tablets safely away from children and pets in a secure location.
Keep the container tightly closed at room temperature away from excessive moisture and heat.
Never take pills that have passed their expiration date printed on the packaging.
Do not flush unwanted pills down the toilet. Instead, mix them with an unappealing substance like used coffee grounds or dirt, seal them inside a plastic bag, and throw them in your household trash.
💡 Take-Home Message
Enzalutamide is a targeted treatment that helps manage prostate cancer by blocking testosterone activity. Taking your dose correctly every day and communicating openly with your doctor ensures the best possible outcomes. Always report new or severe symptoms right away and protect your partner by using reliable birth control during treatment.
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