Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Abiraterone acetate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for Abiraterone Zentiva contains a medicine called abiraterone acetate. It is used to treat prostate cancer in adult men that has spread to other parts of the body. This medicine stops your body from making testosterone; this can slow the growth of prostate cancer. When Abiraterone acetate is prescribed for the early stage of disease where it is still responding to hormone therapy, it is used with a treatment that lowers testosterone (androgen deprivation therapy). When you take this medicine your doctor will also prescribe another medicine called prednisone or prednisolone. This is to lower your chances of getting high blood pressure, having too much water in your body (fluid retention), or having reduced levels of a chemical known as potassium in your blood.
e Abiraterone Zentiva Do not take Abiraterone Zentiva
prednisolone, you must wait 5 days before starting treatment with Ra-223. If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. Blood monitoring Abiraterone acetate may affect your liver, and you may not have any symptoms. When you are taking this medicine, your doctor will check your blood periodically to look for any effects on your liver. Children and adolescents This medicine is not for use in children and adolescents. If Abiraterone acetate is accidentally ingested by a child or adolescent, go to the hospital immediately and take the package leaflet with you to show to the emergency doctor. Other medicines and Abiraterone acetate Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This is important because Abiraterone acetate may increase the effects of a number of medicines including heart medicines, tranquilisers, some medicines for diabetes, herbal medicines (e.g. St. John's Wort) and others. Your doctor may want to change the dose of these medicines. Also, some medicines may increase or decrease the effects of Abiraterone acetate. This may lead to side effects or to this medicine not working as well as it should. Androgen deprivation treatment may increase the risk of heart rhythm problems. Tell your doctor if you are receiving medicine
Abiraterone Zentiva Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. How much to take The recommended dose is 1,000 mg (2 tablets) once a day. Taking this medicine
a medical emergency. Your doctor will tell you if you need to change the amount of prednisone or prednisolone you take. Do not stop taking prednisone or prednisolone unless your doctor tells you to. Your doctor may also prescribe other medicines while you are taking Abiraterone acetate and prednisone or prednisolone. If you take more Abiraterone acetate than you should If you take more Abiraterone acetate than you should, talk to your doctor or go to a hospital immediately. If you forget to take Abiraterone acetate If you forget to take Abiraterone acetate or prednisone or prednisolone, take your usual dose the following day. If you forget to take Abiraterone acetate or prednisone or prednisolone for more than 1 day, talk to your doctor without delay. If you stop taking Abiraterone acetate Do not stop taking Abiraterone acetate or prednisone or prednisolone unless your doctor tells you to. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 4. Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause
, although not everybody gets them. Stop taking Abiraterone acetate and see a doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
Abiraterone Zentiva Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the blister. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
What Abiraterone Zentiva contains
Abiraterone Zentiva 500mg Film-Coated Tablets comes as tablet containing 500mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Abiraterone Zentiva 500mg Film-Coated Tablets is abiraterone acetate.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: ZYTIGA 500 mg film-coated tablets, Abiraterone 500 mg Film-Coated Tablets, Abiraterone 500 mg film-coated tablets. In total there are 12 equivalent products. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Abiraterone Zentiva 500mg Film-Coated Tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Abiraterone acetate is indicated with prednisone or prednisolone for:
• the treatment of newly diagnosed high-risk metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) in adult men in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (see section 5.1).
• the treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in adult men who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic after failure of ADT in whom chemotherapy is not yet clinically indicated (see section 5.1).
• the treatment of mCRPC in adult men whose disease has progressed on or after a docetaxel-based chemotherapy regimen.
This medicinal product should be prescribed by an appropriate healthcare professional.
Posology
The recommended dose is 1,000 mg (2 × 500 mg tablet) as a single daily dose that must not be taken with food (see “Method of administration” below). Taking the tablets with food increases systemic exposure to abiraterone (see sections 4.5 and 5.2).
Dosage of prednisone or prednisolone
For mHSPC, Abiraterone acetate is used with 5 mg prednisone or prednisolone daily. For mCRPC, Abiraterone acetate is used with 10 mg prednisone or prednisolone daily.
Medical castration with luteinising hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analogue should be continued during treatment in patients not surgically castrated.
Recommended monitoring
Serum transaminases should be measured prior to starting treatment, every 2 weeks for the first 3 months of treatment and monthly thereafter. Blood pressure, serum potassium and fluid retention should be monitored monthly. However, patients with a significant risk for congestive heart failure should be monitored every 2 weeks for the first 3 months of treatment and monthly thereafter (see section 4.4).
In patients with pre-existing hypokalaemia or those that develop hypokalaemia whilst being treated with Abiraterone acetate, consider maintaining the patient's potassium level at ≥ 4.0 mM.
For patients who develop Grade ≥ 3 toxicities including hypertension, hypokalaemia, oedema and other non-mineralocorticoid toxicities, treatment should be withheld and appropriate medical management should be instituted. Treatment with Abiraterone acetate should not be reinitiated until symptoms of the toxicity have resolved to Grade 1 or baseline.
In the event of a missed daily dose of either Abiraterone acetate, prednisone or prednisolone, treatment should be resumed the following day with the usual daily dose.
Hepatotoxicity
For patients who develop hepatotoxicity during treatment (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] increases or aspartate aminotransferase [AST] increases above 5 times the upper limit of normal [ULN]), treatment should be withheld immediately (see section 4.4). Re-treatment following return of liver function tests to the patient's baseline may be given at a reduced dose of 500 mg (1 tablet) once daily. For patients being re-treated, serum transaminases should be monitored at a minimum of every 2 weeks for 3 months and monthly thereafter. If hepatotoxicity recurs at the reduced dose of 500 mg daily, treatment should be discontinued.
If patients develop severe hepatotoxicity (alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase 20× ULN) anytime while on therapy, treatment should be discontinued and patients should not be re-treated.
Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with pre-existing mild hepatic impairment, Child-Pugh Class A.
Moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B) has been shown to increase the systemic exposure to abiraterone by approximately 4-fold following single oral doses of abiraterone acetate 1,000 mg (see section 5.2). There are no data on the clinical safety and efficacy of multiple doses of abiraterone acetate when administered to patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B or C). No dose adjustment can be predicted. The use of Abiraterone acetate should be cautiously assessed in patients with moderate hepatic impairment, in whom the benefit clearly should outweigh the possible risk (see sections 4.2 and 5.2). Abiraterone acetate should not be used in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see sections 4.3, 4.4 and 5.2).
Renal impairment
No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with renal impairment (see section 5.2). However, there is no clinical experience in patients with prostate cancer and severe renal impairment. Caution is advised in these patients (see section 4.4).
Paediatric population
There is no relevant use of abiraterone acetate in the paediatric population.
Method of administration
Abiraterone Zentiva is for oral use.
The tablets should be taken at least 1 hour before or at least 2 hours after eating. These should be swallowed whole with water.
• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
• Women who are or may potentially be pregnant (see section 4.6).
• Severe hepatic impairment [Child-Pugh Class C (see sections 4.2, 4.4 and 5.2)].
• Abiraterone with prednisone or prednisolone is contraindicated in combination with Ra-223.
Hypertension, hypokalaemia, fluid retention and cardiac failure due to mineralocorticoid excess
Abiraterone acetate may cause hypertension, hypokalaemia and fluid retention (see section 4.8) as a consequence of increased mineralocorticoid levels resulting from CYP17 inhibition (see section 5.1). Co-administration of a corticosteroid suppresses adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) drive, resulting in a reduction in incidence and severity of these adverse reactions. Caution is required in treating patients whose underlying medical conditions might be compromised by increases in blood pressure, hypokalaemia (e.g. those on cardiac glycosides), or fluid retention (e.g. those with heart failure, severe or unstable angina pectoris, recent myocardial infarction or ventricular arrhythmia and those with severe renal impairment).
Abiraterone acetate should be used with caution in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. The Phase 3 studies conducted with abiraterone acetate excluded patients with uncontrolled hypertension, clinically significant heart disease as evidenced by myocardial infarction, or arterial thrombotic events in the past 6 months, severe or unstable angina, or New York Heart Association Class (NYHA) III or IV heart failure (Study 301) or Class II – IV heart failure (studies 3011 and 302) or cardiac ejection fraction measurement of < 50%. In studies 3011 and 302, patients with atrial fibrillation, or other cardiac arrhythmia requiring medical therapy were excluded. Safety in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50% or NYHA Class III or IV heart failure (in Study 301) or NYHA Class II – IV heart failure (in studies 3011 and 302) was not established (see sections 4.8 and 5.1).
Before treating patients with a significant risk for congestive heart failure (e.g. a history of cardiac failure, uncontrolled hypertension, or cardiac events such as ischaemic heart disease), consider obtaining an assessment of cardiac function (e.g. echocardiogram). Before treatment with abiraterone acetate, cardiac failure should be treated and cardiac function optimised. Hypertension, hypokalaemia and fluid retention should be corrected and controlled. During treatment, blood pressure, serum potassium, fluid retention (weight gain, peripheral oedema), and other signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure should be monitored every 2 weeks for 3 months, then monthly thereafter and abnormalities corrected. QT prolongation has been observed in patients experiencing hypokalaemia in association with abiraterone acetate treatment. Assess cardiac function as clinically indicated, institute appropriate management and consider discontinuation of this treatment if there is a clinically significant decrease in cardiac function (see section 4.2).
Hepatotoxicity and hepatic impairment
Marked increases in liver enzymes leading to treatment discontinuation or dose modification occurred in controlled clinical studies (see section 4.8). Serum transaminase levels should be measured prior to starting treatment, every 2 weeks for the first 3 months of treatment, and monthly thereafter. If clinical symptoms or signs suggestive of hepatotoxicity develop, serum transaminases should be measured immediately. If at any time the alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase rises above 5× ULN, treatment should be interrupted immediately and liver function closely monitored. Re-treatment may take place only after return of liver function tests to the patient's baseline and at a reduced dose level (see section 4.2).
If patients develop severe hepatotoxicity (alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase 20× the ULN) anytime while on therapy, treatment should be discontinued and patients should not be re-treated.
Patients with active or symptomatic viral hepatitis were excluded from clinical trials; thus, there are no data to support the use of abiraterone acetate in this population.
There are no data on the clinical safety and efficacy of multiple doses of abiraterone acetate when administered to patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B or C). The use of abiraterone acetate should be cautiously assessed in patients with moderate hepatic impairment, in whom the benefit clearly should outweigh the possible risk (see sections 4.2 and 5.2). Abiraterone acetate should not be used in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see sections 4.2, 4.3 and 5.2).
There have been rare post-marketing reports of acute liver failure and hepatitis fulminant, some with fatal outcome (see section 4.8).
Corticosteroid withdrawal and coverage of stress situations
Caution is advised and monitoring for adrenocortical insufficiency should occur if patients are withdrawn from prednisone or prednisolone. If abiraterone acetate is continued after corticosteroids are withdrawn, patients should be monitored for symptoms of mineralocorticoid excess (see information above).
In patients on prednisone or prednisolone who are subjected to unusual stress, an increased dose of corticosteroids may be indicated before, during and after the stressful situation.
Bone density
Decreased bone density may occur in men with metastatic advanced prostate cancer. The use of abiraterone acetate in combination with a glucocorticoid could increase this effect.
Prior use of ketoconazole
Lower rates of response might be expected in patients previously treated with ketoconazole for prostate cancer.
Hyperglycaemia
The use of glucocorticoids could increase hyperglycaemia, therefore blood sugar should be measured frequently in patients with diabetes.
Hypoglycaemia
Cases of hypoglycaemia have been reported when abiraterone acetate + prednisone/ prednisolone was administered to patients with pre-existing diabetes receiving pioglitazone or repaglinide (see section 4.5); therefore, blood sugar should be monitored in patients with diabetes.
Use with chemotherapy
The safety and efficacy of concomitant use of abiraterone acetate with cytotoxic chemotherapy has not been established (see section 5.1).
Potential risks
Anaemia and sexual dysfunction may occur in men with metastatic prostate cancer including those undergoing treatment with abiraterone acetate.
Skeletal muscle effects
Cases of myopathy and rhabdomyolysis have been reported in patients treated with abiraterone acetate. Most cases developed within the first 6 months of treatment and recovered after abiraterone acetate withdrawal. Caution is recommended in patients concomitantly treated with medicinal products known to be associated with myopathy/rhabdomyolysis.
Interactions with other medicinal products
Strong inducers of CYP3A4 during treatment are to be avoided unless there is no therapeutic alternative, due to risk of decreased exposure to abiraterone (see section 4.5).
Combination of abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone with Ra-223
Treatment with abiraterone acetate and prednisone/prednisolone in combination with Ra-223 is contraindicated (see section 4.3) due to an increased risk of fractures and a trend for increased mortality among asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic prostate cancer patients as observed in clinical trials.
It is recommended that subsequent treatment with Ra-223 is not initiated for at least 5 days after the last administration of abiraterone acetate in combination with prednisone/prednisolone.
Excipients
This medicinal product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
This medicinal product also contains less than 1 mmol (or 23 mg) sodium per tablet, that is to say essentially “sodium-free”.
Effect of food on abiraterone acetate
Administration with food significantly increases the absorption of abiraterone acetate. The efficacy and safety when given with food have not been established therefore this medicinal product must not be taken with food (see sections 4.2 and 5.2).
Interactions with other medicinal products
Potential for other medicinal products to affect abiraterone exposures
In a clinical pharmacokinetic interaction study of healthy subjects pre-treated with a strong CYP3A4 inducer rifampicin, 600 mg daily for 6 days followed by a single dose of abiraterone acetate 1,000 mg, the mean plasma AUC∞ of abiraterone was decreased by 55%.
Strong inducers of CYP3A4 (e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenobarbital, St. Johnʼs Wort [Hypericum perforatum]) during treatment are to be avoided, unless there is no therapeutic alternative.
In a separate clinical pharmacokinetic interaction study of healthy subjects, co-administration of ketoconazole, a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4, had no clinically meaningful effect on the pharmacokinetics of abiraterone.
Potential to affect exposures to other medicinal products
Abiraterone acetate is an inhibitor of the hepatic drug-metabolising enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP2C8.
In a study to determine the effects of abiraterone acetate (+ prednisone) on a single dose of the CYP2D6 substrate dextromethorphan, the systemic exposure (AUC) of dextromethorphan was increased approximately 2.9 fold. The AUC24 for dextrorphan, the active metabolite of dextromethorphan, increased approximately 33%.
Caution is advised when administering with medicinal products activated by or metabolised by CYP2D6, particularly with medicinal products that have a narrow therapeutic index. Dose reduction of medicinal products with a narrow therapeutic index that are metabolised by CYP2D6 should be considered. Examples of medicinal products metabolised by CYP2D6 include metoprolol, propranolol, desipramine, venlafaxine, haloperidol, risperidone, propafenone, flecainide, codeine, oxycodone and tramadol (the latter 3 medicinal products requiring CYP2D6 to form their active analgesic metabolites).
In a CYP2C8 drug-drug interaction trial in healthy subjects, the AUC of pioglitazone was increased by 46% and the AUCs for M-III and M-IV, the active metabolites of pioglitazone, each decreased by 10% when pioglitazone was given together with a single dose of 1,000 mg abiraterone acetate. Patients should be monitored for signs of toxicity related to a CYP2C8 substrate with a narrow therapeutic index if used concomitantly. Examples of medicinal products metabolised by CYP2C8 include pioglitazone and repaglinide (see section 4.4).
In vitro, the major metabolites abiraterone sulphate and N-oxide abiraterone sulphate were shown to inhibit the hepatic uptake transporter OATP1B1 and as a consequence it may increase the concentrations of medicinal products eliminated by OATP1B1. There are no clinical data available to confirm transporter based interaction.
Use with products known to prolong QT interval
Since androgen deprivation treatment may prolong the QT interval, caution is advised when administering abiraterone acetate with medicinal products known to prolong the QT interval or medicinal products able to induce torsades de pointes such as Class IA (e.g. quinidine, disopyramide) or Class III (e.g. amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, ibutilide) antiarrhythmic medicinal products, methadone, moxifloxacin, antipsychotics, etc.
Use with Spironolactone
Spironolactone binds to the androgen receptor and may increase prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. Use with abiraterone acetate is not recommended (see section 5.1).
Women of childbearing potential
There are no human data on the use of abiraterone acetate in pregnancy and this medicinal product is not for use in women of childbearing potential.
Contraception in males and females
It is not known whether abiraterone acetate or its metabolites are present in semen. A condom is required if the patient is engaged in sexual activity with a pregnant woman. If the patient is engaged in sex with a woman of childbearing potential, a condom is required along with another effective contraceptive method. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).
Pregnancy
Abiraterone acetate is not for use in women and is contraindicated in women who are or may potentially be pregnant (see section 4.3 and 5.3).
Breast-feeding
Abiraterone acetate is not for use in women.
Fertility
Abiraterone acetate affected fertility in male and female rats, but these effects were fully reversible (see section 5.3).
Abiraterone acetate has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
Summary of the safety profile
In an analysis of adverse reactions of composite Phase 3 studies with abiraterone acetate, adverse reactions that were observed in ≥ 10% of patients were peripheral oedema, hypokalaemia, hypertension urinary tract infection, and alanine aminotransferase increased and/or aspartate aminotransferase increased.
Other important adverse reactions include, cardiac disorders, hepatotoxicity, fractures, and allergic alveolitis.
Abiraterone acetate may cause hypertension, hypokalaemia and fluid retention as a pharmacodynamic consequence of its mechanism of action. In Phase 3 studies, anticipated mineralocorticoid adverse reactions were seen more commonly in patients treated with abiraterone acetate than in patients treated with placebo: Hypokalaemia 18% vs. 8%, hypertension 22% vs. 16% and fluid retention (peripheral oedema) 23% vs. 17%, respectively. In patients treated with abiraterone acetate versus patients treated with placebo: CTCAE (version 4.0) Grades 3 and 4 hypokalaemia were observed in 6% versus 1%, of patients, CTCAE (version 4.0) Grades 3 and 4 hypertension were observed in 8% versus 5%, and fluid retention (peripheral oedema) Grades 3 and 4 were observed in 1% versus 1% of patients, respectively.
Mineralocorticoid reactions generally were able to be successfully managed medically. Concomitant use of a corticosteroid reduces the incidence and severity of these adverse reactions (see section 4.4).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
In studies of patients with metastatic advanced prostate cancer who were using an LHRH analogue, or were previously treated with orchiectomy, abiraterone acetate was administered at a dose of 1,000 mg daily in combination with low dose prednisone or prednisolone (either 5 or 10 mg daily depending on the indication).
Adverse reactions observed during clinical studies and post-marketing experience are listed below by frequency category. Frequency categories are defined as follows: Very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000); very rare (< 1/10,000) and not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data).
Within each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 1: Adverse reactions identified in clinical studies and post-marketing.
System Organ Class
Frequency
Adverse reaction and frequency
Infections and infestations
Very common
Urinary tract infection
Common
Sepsis
Immune system disorders
Not known
Anaphylactic reactions
Endocrine disorders
Uncommon
Adrenal insufficiency
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Very common
Hypokalaemia
Common
Hypertriglyceridaemia
Cardiac disorders
Common
Cardiac failurea, angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia
Uncommon
Other arrhythmias
Not known
Myocardial infarction, QT prolongation (see sections 4.4 and 4.5)
Vascular disorders
Very common
Hypertension
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Rare
Allergic alveolitisb
Gastrointestinal disorders
Very common
Diarrhoea
Common
Dyspepsia
Hepatobiliary disorders
Very common
Alanine aminotransferase increased and/or aspartate aminotransferase increasedc
Rare
Hepatitis fulminant, acute hepatic failure
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Common
Rash
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Uncommon
Myopathy, rhabdomyolysis
Renal and urinary disorders
Common
Haematuria
General disorders and administration site conditions
Very common
Oedema peripheral
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Common
Fracturesd
a Cardiac failure also includes congestive heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction and ejection fraction decreased.
b Spontaneous reports from post-marketing experience.
c Alanine aminotransferase increased and/or aspartate aminotransferase increased includes alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, and hepatic function abnormal.
d Fractures includes osteoporosis and all fractures with the exception of pathological fractures.
The following CTCAE (version 4.0) Grade 3 adverse reactions occurred in patients treated with abiraterone acetate: Hypokalaemia 5%; urinary tract infection 2%; alanine aminotransferase increased and/or aspartate aminotransferase increased 4%; hypertension 6%; fractures 2%; peripheral oedema, cardiac failure, and atrial fibrillation 1% each. CTCAE (version 4.0) Grade 3 hypertriglyceridaemia and angina pectoris occurred in < 1% of patients. CTCAE (version 4.0) Grade 4 urinary tract infection, alanine aminotransferase increased and/or aspartate aminotransferase increased, hypokalaemia, cardiac failure, atrial fibrillation, and fractures occurred in < 1% of patients.
A higher incidence of hypertension and hypokalaemia was observed in the hormone sensitive population (Study 3011). Hypertension was reported in 36.7% of patients in the hormone sensitive population (Study 3011) compared to 11.8% and 20.2% in studies 301 and 302, respectively.
Hypokalaemia was observed in 20.4% of patients in the hormone sensitive population (Study 3011) compared to 19.2% and 14.9% in 301 and 302, respectively).
The incidence and severity of adverse events was higher in the subgroup of patients with baseline ECOG2 performance status grade and also in elderly patients (≥ 75 years ).
Description of selected adverse reactions
Cardiovascular reactions
The 3 Phase 3 studies excluded patients with uncontrolled hypertension, clinically significant heart disease as evidenced by myocardial infarction, or arterial thrombotic events in the past 6 months, severe or unstable angina, or NYHA Class III or IV heart failure (Study 301) or Class II – IV heart failure (studies 3011 and 302) or cardiac ejection fraction measurement of < 50%. All patients enrolled (both active and placebo-treated patients) were concomitantly treated with androgen deprivation therapy, predominantly with the use of LHRH analogues, which has been associated with diabetes, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident and sudden cardiac death. The incidence of cardiovascular adverse reactions in the Phase 3 studies in patients taking abiraterone acetate vs. patients taking placebo were as follows: Atrial fibrillation 2.6% vs. 2.0%, tachycardia 1.9% vs. 1.0%, angina pectoris 1.7% vs. 0.8%, cardiac failure 0.7% vs. 0.2%, and arrhythmia 0.7% vs. 0.5%.
Hepatotoxicity
Hepatotoxicity with elevated alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin has been reported in patients treated with abiraterone acetate. Across Phase 3 clinical studies, hepatotoxicity Grades 3 and 4 (e.g. alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase increases of > 5× ULN or bilirubin increases > 1.5× ULN) were reported in approximately 6% of patients who received abiraterone acetate, typically during the first 3 months after starting treatment. In Study 3011, Grade 3 or 4 hepatotoxicity was observed in 8.4% of patients treated with abiraterone acetate. Ten patients who received abiraterone acetate were discontinued because of hepatotoxicity; 2 had Grade 2 hepatotoxicity, 6 had Grade 3 hepatotoxicity, and 2 had Grade 4 hepatotoxicity. No patient died of hepatotoxicity in Study 3011. In the Phase 3 clinical studies, patients whose baseline alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase were elevated were more likely to experience liver function test elevations than those beginning with normal values. When elevations of either alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase > 5× ULN, or elevations in bilirubin > 3× ULN were observed, abiraterone acetate was withheld or discontinued. In 2 instances marked increases in liver function tests occurred (see section 4.4). These 2 patients with normal baseline hepatic function, experienced alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase elevations 15 – 40× ULN and bilirubin elevations 2 – 6× ULN. Upon discontinuation of treatment, both patients had normalisation of their liver function tests and 1 patient was re-treated without recurrence of the elevations. In Study 302, Grade 3 or 4 alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase elevations were observed in 35 (6.5%) patients treated with abiraterone acetate.
Aminotransferase elevations resolved in all but 3 patients (2 with new multiple liver metastases and 1 with aspartate aminotransferase elevation approximately 3 weeks after the last dose of abiraterone acetate). In Phase 3 clinical studies, treatment discontinuations due to alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase increases or abnormal hepatic function were reported in 1.1% of patients treated with abiraterone acetate and 0.6% of patients treated with placebo; no deaths were reported due to hepatotoxicity events.
In clinical trials, the risk for hepatotoxicity was mitigated by exclusion of patients with baseline hepatitis or significant abnormalities of liver function tests. In the 3011 Study, patients with baseline alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase > 2.5× ULN, bilirubin > 1.5× ULN or those with active or symptomatic viral hepatitis or chronic liver disease; ascites or bleeding disorders secondary to hepatic dysfunction were excluded. In the 301 Study, patients with baseline alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase ≥ 2.5× ULN in the absence of liver metastases and > 5× ULN in the presence of liver metastases were excluded. In the 302 Study, patients with liver metastases were not eligible and patients with baseline alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase ≥ 2.5× ULN were excluded. Abnormal liver function tests developing in patients participating in clinical trials were vigorously managed by requiring treatment interruption and permitting re-treatment only after return of liver function tests to the patient's baseline (see section 4.2). Patients with elevations of alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase > 20× ULN were not re-treated. The safety of re-treatment in such patients is unknown. The mechanism for hepatotoxicity is not understood.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Human experience of overdose with abiraterone acetate is limited.
There is no specific antidote. In the event of an overdose, administration should be withheld and general supportive measures undertaken, including monitoring for arrhythmias, hypokalaemia and for signs and symptoms of fluid retention. Liver function also should be assessed.
Ask anything about Abiraterone Zentiva 500mg Film-Coated Tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
We use essential cookies to make the site work. We would also like to set optional cookies to understand how the site is used, so we can improve it. We will not set optional cookies unless you accept. See our cookie policy and privacy policy.