Abiraterone Viatris (Abiraterone Acetate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Abiraterone Viatris Used For?
Abiraterone Viatris is a prescription medication specifically designed to treat advanced prostate cancer.
Primary Uses
Abiraterone Viatris is used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic prostate cancer).
How It Works
This medication belongs to a class of drugs called anti-androgens. It works by reducing the levels of the sex hormone testosterone, which helps slow the growth of prostate cancer cells.
How to Take Abiraterone Viatris
Abiraterone Viatris must be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor, with specific timing requirements for food.
Dosage Instructions
The usual daily dose is four 250 mg tablets or two 500 mg tablets taken as a single dose once daily. Take at the same time each day on an empty stomach – at least one hour before eating or at least two hours after eating. Swallow tablets whole with water; do not break them. You must also take prednisone or prednisolone (usually 5 or 10 mg daily) as prescribed by your doctor while taking Abiraterone Viatris.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a daily dose of Abiraterone Viatris or prednisone/prednisolone, take your normal dose the following day. If you miss more than one daily dose, contact your doctor for guidance.
Important: Taking Abiraterone Viatris with food causes more medicine to be absorbed than needed and may cause side effects. Always take on an empty stomach.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Diarrhea
- Fluid retention in legs and feet
- Low blood potassium
- Urinary tract infection
- High blood pressure
- Bone fractures
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of low blood potassium (muscle weakness, muscle twitches, heart palpitations)
- High fat levels in blood
- Liver function test increases
- Blood in urine
- Chest pain
- Heart rhythm disorders
- Heart failure
- Rapid heart rate
- Muscle pains
- Adrenal gland problems
- Severe allergic reactions (difficulty swallowing/breathing, swollen face/lips/tongue/throat, itchy rash)
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before starting Abiraterone Viatris.
Who Should Not Take Abiraterone Viatris
Do not take if you are allergic to abiraterone acetate or any ingredients, if you are pregnant or potentially pregnant, if you have severe liver failure, if the packaging is damaged or expired, or if you are being treated with XOFIGO radiation therapy.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems (you should not take this medication with moderate or severe liver disease), high blood pressure, heart problems, heart failure, or other heart/blood vessel conditions, as Abiraterone Viatris can worsen these conditions.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Abiraterone Viatris must not be taken by women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or might become pregnant, as it may harm the baby. If you are having sex with a pregnant woman, use a condom. If having sex with a woman who can become pregnant, use a condom plus another effective birth control method. Pregnant women should wear gloves if they need to touch or handle the tablets.
Drug Interactions
Some medications may interfere with how Abiraterone Viatris works or increase your risk of side effects.
Diabetes Alert: If you have diabetes and take pioglitazone or repaglinide with Abiraterone Viatris plus prednisone/prednisolone, monitor your blood sugar closely as it may drop.
- Diabetes medications (pioglitazone, repaglinide) – may cause blood sugar to drop
- Various other medications that may affect how Abiraterone Viatris works
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with activities that require alertness and discuss alcohol use with your doctor.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Discuss any alcohol consumption with your healthcare provider.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines or tools until you know how Abiraterone Viatris affects you. It is thought that this medication will not affect your ability to drive and use machines, but caution is advised initially.
Storage
Store Abiraterone Viatris tablets below 25°C in the original container to protect from moisture. Keep in a cool, dry place away from heat, sunlight, and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take expired or unwanted medication to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Abiraterone Viatris, seek immediate medical attention. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately, even if you feel fine or have no symptoms of poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Abiraterone Viatris must be taken on an empty stomach. Take it at least one hour before eating or at least two hours after eating. Taking it with food causes more medicine to be absorbed than needed and may cause side effects.
If you miss a daily dose of Abiraterone Viatris or your prednisone/prednisolone, take your normal dose the following day. If you miss more than one daily dose, contact your doctor for guidance.
Your doctor will prescribe prednisone or prednisolone to reduce the chance of developing high blood pressure, heart effects, or low blood potassium while taking Abiraterone Viatris. You need to take one of these medications daily and should not stop unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not stop taking Abiraterone Viatris unless your doctor tells you to do so. Continue taking it exactly as prescribed and follow up with all doctor appointments so your progress can be monitored.
The medication can be prescribed to appropriate patients regardless of age, but your doctor will consider your overall health, especially any liver problems, heart conditions, or high blood pressure, before prescribing this medication.
Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular blood tests and appointments. The timeline for seeing effects varies by individual, which is why regular medical monitoring is essential while taking this medication.
Always tell any doctor, dentist, pharmacist, or anesthetist that you are taking Abiraterone Viatris. If you’re starting any new medications, inform your healthcare provider that you’re taking this medication.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.