Apalutamide is used together with other medicines to treat men with prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and still responds to medical or surgical treatment.
It may also be used to treat men with prostate cancer that has not spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to medical or surgical treatment.
Take Apalutamide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of your treatment depending on your condition and response to the medication.
Apalutamide must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
This medicine is not for use in women. Do not take Apalutamide if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Men should not father a child while being treated with this medicine. You must use proven birth control methods during Apalutamide therapy and for 3 months after stopping the treatment. You may wish to discuss reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- brain injury or tumours
- recent stroke (within a year)
- heart problems e.g. chest pain, heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood), recent heart attack, irregular or abnormal heartbeat
- severe liver disease
- severe kidney disease
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Apalutamide to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. thyroid function) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring for signs of skin reactions and heart problems may also be needed.
Apalutamide may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, diarrhoea, taste disturbances, tiredness, decreased appetite, weight loss, joint pain, hair loss, and skin itching.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- chest pain, tightness or pressure, pain that may spread to the arms, jaw, neck, shoulder or back, shortness of breath, lightheadedness
- weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, vision problems, changes in balance or coordination
- rashes with peeling of the skin or blistering of the lips, mouth or eyes accompanied by fever
- fits or seizures
- falls that may lead to broken bones
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for cancer e.g. lapatinib, methotrexate
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. valproic acid, phenytoin
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin, dabigatran etexilate
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. gemfibrozil, rosuvastatin, simvastatin
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. digoxin, quinidine, amiodarone, sotalol
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. haloperidol
- levothyroxine (medicine for thyroid disease)
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, an infection known as tuberculosis)
- colchicine (medicine for gout or high uric acid level in the blood)
- omeprazole (medicines that reduce stomach acid production)
- darunavir (medicine for HIV infection)
- felodipine (medicine for high blood pressure)
- midazolam (medicine for sleep disorder)
- moxifloxacin (certain antibiotic)
- repaglinide (medicine for diabetes)
- methadone (strong painkiller)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Apalutamide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light and moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
As this is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired tablets to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
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