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 Enzalutamide may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for
Enzalutamide Astellas contains the active substance enzalutamide. Enzalutamide Astellas is used to treat adult men with prostate cancer:
e Enzalutamide Astellas
Do not take Enzalutamide Astellas
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Warnings and precautions Seizures Seizures were reported in 6 in every 1,000 people taking Enzalutamide Astellas, and fewer than 3 in every 1,000 people taking placebo (see 'Other medicines and Enzalutamide Astellas' below and section 4 'Possible side effects'). If you are taking a medicine that can cause seizures or that can increase the susceptibility for having seizures (see 'Other medicines and Enzalutamide Astellas' below). If you have a seizure during treatment: See your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may decide that you should stop taking Enzalutamide Astellas. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) There have been rare reports of PRES, a rare, reversible condition involving the brain, in patients treated with Enzalutamide Astellas. If you have a seizure, worsening headache, confusion, blindness or other vision problems, please contact your doctor as soon as possible. (see also section 4 'Possible side effects'). Risk of new cancers (second primary malignancies) There have been reports of new (second) cancers including cancer of the bladder and colon in patients treated with Enzalutamide Astellas. See your doctor as soon as possible if you notice signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, blood in the urine, or frequently feel an urgent need to urinate when taking Enzalutamide Astellas. Difficulty swallowing related to product formulation There have been reports of patients experiencing difficulty swallowing this medicine, including reports of choking. The swallowing difficulties or choking events were more commonly observed in patients receiving capsules, which could be related to a larger product size. Swallow the tablets whole with a sufficient amount of water. Talk to your doctor before taking Enzalutamide Astellas
Children and adolescents This medicine is not for use in children and adolescents. Other medicines and Enzalutamide Astellas Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. You need to know the names of the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show to your doctor when you are prescribed a new medicine. You should not start or stop taking any medicine before you talk with the doctor that prescribed Enzalutamide Astellas. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines. When taken at the same time as Enzalutamide Astellas, these medicines may increase the risk of a seizure: –
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Certain medicines used to treat asthma and other respiratory diseases (e.g. aminophylline, theophylline). Medicines used to treat certain psychiatric disorders such as depression and schizophrenia (e.g. clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, ziprasidone, bupropion, lithium, chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, thioridazine, amitriptyline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, maprotiline, mirtazapine). Certain medicines for the treatment of pain (e.g. pethidine).
Tell your doctor if you are taking the following medicines. These medicines may influence the effect of Enzalutamide Astellas, or Enzalutamide Astellas may influence the effect of these medicines. This includes certain medicines used to: Lower cholesterol (e.g. gemfibrozil, atorvastatin, simvastatin) Treat pain (e.g. fentanyl, tramadol) Treat cancer (e.g. cabazitaxel) Treat epilepsy (e.g. carbamazepine, clonazepam, phenytoin, primidone, valproic acid) Treat certain psychiatric disorders such as severe anxiety or schizophrenia (e.g. diazepam, midazolam, haloperidol) Treat sleep disorders (e.g. zolpidem) Treat heart conditions or lower blood pressure (e.g. bisoprolol, digoxin, diltiazem, felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, propranolol, verapamil) Treat serious disease related to inflammation (e.g. dexamethasone, prednisolone) Treat HIV infection (e.g. indinavir, ritonavir) Treat bacterial infections (e.g. clarithromycin, doxycycline) Treat thyroid disorders (e.g. levothyroxine) Treat gout (e.g. colchicine) Treat stomach disorders (e.g. omeprazole) Prevent heart conditions or strokes (e.g. dabigatran etexilate) Prevent organ rejection (e.g. tacrolimus) Enzalutamide Astellas might interfere with some medicines used to treat heart rhythm problems (e.g. quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone and sotalol) or might increase the risk of heart rhythm problems when used with some other medicines [e.g. methadone (used for pain relief and part of drug addiction detoxification), moxifloxacin (an antibiotic), antipsychotics (used for serious mental illnesses)]. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. The dose of Enzalutamide Astellas or any other medicines that you are taking may need to be changed. Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility Enzalutamide Astellas is not for use in women. This medicine may cause harm to the unborn child or potential loss of pregnancy if taken by women who are pregnant. It must not be taken by women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or who are breast-feeding. This medicine could possibly have an effect on male fertility. If you are having sex with a woman who can become pregnant, use a condom and another effective birth control method, during treatment and for 3 months after treatment with this 3
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medicine. If you are having sex with a pregnant woman, use a condom to protect the unborn child. Female caregivers see section 3 'How to take Enzalutamide Astellas' for handling and use.
Driving and using machines Enzalutamide Astellas may have moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines. Seizures have been reported in patients taking Enzalutamide Astellas. If you are at higher risk of seizures, talk to your doctor. Enzalutamide Astellas contains sodium This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (less than 23 mg) per film-coated tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'. 3.
Enzalutamide Astellas
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure. The usual dose is 160 mg (four 40 mg film-coated tablets), taken at the same time once a day. Taking Enzalutamide Astellas Swallow the tablets whole with a sufficient amount of water. Do not cut, crush or chew the tablets before swallowing. Enzalutamide Astellas can be taken with or without food. Enzalutamide Astellas should not be handled by persons other than the patient or his caregivers. Women who are or may become pregnant should not handle broken or damaged Enzalutamide Astellas tablets without wearing protection like gloves. Your doctor may also prescribe other medicines while you are taking Enzalutamide Astellas. If you take more Enzalutamide Astellas than you should If you take more tablets than prescribed, stop taking Enzalutamide Astellas and contact your doctor. You may have an increased risk of seizure or other side effects. If you forget to take Enzalutamide Astellas If you forget to take Enzalutamide Astellas at the usual time, take your usual dose as soon as you remember. If you forget to take Enzalutamide Astellas for the whole day, take your usual dose the following day. If you forget to take Enzalutamide Astellas for more than one day, talk to your doctor immediately. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you forgot. If you stop taking Enzalutamide Astellas Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor. 4.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Seizures Seizures were reported in 6 in every 1,000 people taking Enzalutamide Astellas, and in fewer than 3 in every 1,000 people taking placebo.
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Seizures are more likely if you take more than the recommended dose of this medicine, if you take certain other medicines, or if you are at higher than usual risk of seizure. If you have a seizure, see your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor may decide that you should stop taking Enzalutamide Astellas. Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) There have been rare reports of PRES (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people), a rare, reversible condition involving the brain, in patients treated with Enzalutamide Astellas. If you have a seizure, worsening headache, confusion, blindness or other vision problems, please contact your doctor as soon as possible. Other possible side effects include: Very common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) Headache, tiredness, fall, broken bones, hot flushes, high blood pressure Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) Feeling anxious, dry skin, itching, difficulty remembering, blockage of the arteries in the heart (ischemic heart disease), breast enlargement in men (gynaecomastia), nipple pain, breast tenderness, symptom of restless legs syndrome (an uncontrollable urge to move a part of the body, usually the leg), reduced concentration, forgetfulness, change in sense of taste, difficulty thinking clearly Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) Hallucinations, low white blood cell count, increased liver enzyme levels in blood test (a sign of liver problems) Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data) Muscle pain, muscle spasms, muscular weakness, back pain, changes in ECG (QT prolongation), difficulty swallowing this medicine including choking, upset stomach including feeling sick (nausea), a skin reaction that causes red spots or patches on the skin that may look like a target or 'bulls-eye' with a dark red centre surrounded by paler red rings (erythema multiforme), or another serious skin reaction presenting reddish non-elevated, target-like or circular patches on the trunk, often with central blisters, skin peeling, ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes that can be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), rash, being sick (vomiting), swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat, reduction in blood platelets (which increases risk of bleeding or bruising), diarrhoea, decreased appetite Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly 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. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. 5.
Enzalutamide Astellas
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 cardboard wallet and outer carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicine 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. 5
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What Enzalutamide Astellas contains The active substance is enzalutamide. Each Enzalutamide Astellas 40 mg film-coated tablet contains 40 mg of enzalutamide. The other ingredients of the film-coated tablets are:
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Enzalutamide Astellas 40 mg film coated tablets (previously named Xtandi) comes as tablet containing 40mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Enzalutamide Astellas 40 mg film coated tablets (previously named Xtandi) is enzalutamide.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Enzalutamide Astellas 40 mg film coated tablets (previously named Xtandi), 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.
Enzalutamide Astellas is indicated:
• as monotherapy or in combination with androgen deprivation therapy for the treatment of adult men with high‑risk biochemical recurrent (BCR) non-metastatic hormone‑sensitive prostate cancer (nmHSPC) who are unsuitable for salvage‑radiotherapy (see section 5.1).
• in combination with androgen deprivation therapy for the treatment of adult men with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) (see section 5.1).
• for the treatment of adult men with high-risk non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) (see section 5.1).
• for the treatment of adult men with metastatic CRPC who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic after failure of androgen deprivation therapy in whom chemotherapy is not yet clinically indicated (see section 5.1).
• for the treatment of adult men with metastatic CRPC whose disease has progressed on or after docetaxel therapy.
Treatment with enzalutamide should be initiated and supervised by specialist physicians experienced in the medical treatment of prostate cancer.
Posology
The recommended dose is 160 mg enzalutamide (four 40 mg film‑coated tablets) as a single oral daily dose.
Medical castration with a luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogue should be continued during treatment of patients with CRPC or mHSPC who are not surgically castrated.
Patients with high-risk BCR nmHSPC may be treated with Enzalutamide Astellas with or without a LHRH analogue. For patients who receive Enzalutamide Astellas with or without a LHRH analogue, treatment can be suspended if PSA is undetectable (< 0.2 ng/mL) after 36 weeks of therapy. Treatment should be reinitiated when PSA has increased to ≥ 2.0 ng/mL for patients who had prior radical prostatectomy or ≥ 5.0 ng/mL for patients who had prior primary radiation therapy. If PSA is detectable (≥ 0.2 ng/mL) after 36 weeks of therapy, treatment should continue (see section 5.1).
If a patient misses taking Enzalutamide Astellas at the usual time, the prescribed dose should be taken as close as possible to the usual time. If a patient misses a dose for a whole day, treatment should be resumed the following day with the usual daily dose.
If a patient experiences a ≥ Grade 3 toxicity or an intolerable adverse reaction, dosing should be withheld for one week or until symptoms improve to ≤ Grade 2, then resumed at the same or a reduced dose (120 mg or 80 mg) if warranted.
Concomitant use with strong CYP2C8 inhibitors
The concomitant use of strong CYP2C8 inhibitors should be avoided if possible. If patients must be co‑administered a strong CYP2C8 inhibitor, the dose of enzalutamide should be reduced to 80 mg once daily. If co‑administration of the strong CYP2C8 inhibitor is discontinued, the enzalutamide dose should be returned to the dose used prior to initiation of the strong CYP2C8 inhibitor (see section 4.5).
Elderly
No dose adjustment is necessary for elderly patients (see sections 5.1 and 5.2).
Hepatic impairment
No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild, moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child‑Pugh Class A, B or C, respectively). An increased half-life of enzalutamide has however been observed in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see sections 4.4 and 5.2).
Renal impairment
No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild or moderate renal impairment (see section 5.2). Caution is advised in patients with severe renal impairment or end‑stage renal disease (see section 4.4).
Paediatric population
There is no relevant use of enzalutamide in the paediatric population in the indication of treatment of adult men with CRPC, mHSPC, or high‑risk BCR nmHSPC.
Method of administration
Enzalutamide Astellas is for oral use. The film‑coated tablets should not be cut, crushed or chewed but should be swallowed whole with a sufficient amount of water, and can be taken with or without food.
Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Women who are or may become pregnant (see sections 4.6 and 6.6).
Risk of seizure
Use of enzalutamide has been associated with seizure (see section 4.8). The decision to continue treatment in patients who develop seizures should be taken case by case.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
There have been rare reports of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in patients receiving Enzalutamide Astellas (see section 4.8). PRES is a rare, reversible, neurological disorder which can present with rapidly evolving symptoms including seizure, headache, confusion, blindness, and other visual and neurological disturbances, with or without associated hypertension. A diagnosis of PRES requires confirmation by brain imaging, preferably magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Discontinuation of Enzalutamide Astellas in patients who develop PRES is recommended.
Second Primary Malignancies
Cases of second primary malignancies have been reported in patients treated with enzalutamide in clinical studies. In phase 3 clinical studies, the most frequently reported events in enzalutamide treated patients, and greater than placebo, were bladder cancer (0.3%), adenocarcinoma of the colon (0.2%), transitional cell carcinoma (0.2%) and malignant melanoma (0.2%).
Patients should be advised to promptly seek the attention of their physician if they notice signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, macroscopic haematuria, or other symptoms such as dysuria or urinary urgency develop during treatment with enzalutamide.
Concomitant use with other medicinal products
Enzalutamide is a potent enzyme inducer and may lead to loss of efficacy of many commonly used medicinal products (see examples in section 4.5). A review of concomitant medicinal products should therefore be conducted when initiating enzalutamide treatment. Concomitant use of enzalutamide with medicinal products that are sensitive substrates of many metabolising enzymes or transporters (see section 4.5) should generally be avoided if their therapeutic effect is of large importance to the patient, and if dose adjustments cannot easily be performed based on monitoring of efficacy or plasma concentrations.
Co‑administration with warfarin and coumarin‑like anticoagulants should be avoided. If Enzalutamide Astellas is co‑administered with an anticoagulant metabolised by CYP2C9 (such as warfarin or acenocoumarol), additional International Normalised Ratio (INR) monitoring should be conducted (see section 4.5).
Renal impairment
Caution is required in patients with severe renal impairment as enzalutamide has not been studied in this patient population.
Severe hepatic impairment
An increased half-life of enzalutamide has been observed in patients with severe hepatic impairment, possibly related to increased tissue distribution. The clinical relevance of this observation remains unknown. A prolonged time to reach steady state concentrations is however anticipated, and the time to maximum pharmacological effect as well as time for onset and decline of enzyme induction (see section 4.5) may be increased.
Recent cardiovascular disease
The phase 3 studies excluded patients with recent myocardial infarction (in the past 6 months) or unstable angina (in the past 3 months), New York Heart Association Class (NYHA) III or IV heart failure except if Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) ≥ 45%, bradycardia or uncontrolled hypertension. This should be taken into account if Enzalutamide Astellas is prescribed in these patients.
Androgen deprivation therapy may prolong the QT interval
In patients with a history of or risk factors for QT prolongation and in patients receiving concomitant medicinal products that might prolong the QT interval (see section 4.5) physicians should assess the benefit risk ratio including the potential for Torsade de pointes prior to initiating Enzalutamide Astellas.
Use with chemotherapy
The safety and efficacy of concomitant use of Enzalutamide Astellas with cytotoxic chemotherapy has not been established. Co-administration of enzalutamide has no clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of intravenous docetaxel (see section 4.5); however, an increase in the occurrence of docetaxel-induced neutropenia cannot be excluded.
Severe skin reactions
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which can be life threatening or fatal, has been reported with enzalutamide treatment.
At the time of prescription, patients should be advised of the signs and symptoms and monitored closely for skin reactions.
If signs and symptoms suggestive of this reaction appear, enzalutamide should be withdrawn immediately and an alternative treatment considered (as appropriate).
Hypersensitivity reactions
Hypersensitivity reactions manifested by symptoms including, but not limited to, rash, or face, tongue, lip, or pharyngeal oedema, have been observed with enzalutamide (see section 4.8).
Enzalutamide Astellas as monotherapy in patients with high‑risk BCR nmHSPC
Results of the EMBARK study suggest that Enzalutamide Astellas as monotherapy and in combination with androgen deprivation therapy are not equivalent treatment options in patients with high‑risk BCR nmHSPC (see sections 4.8 and 5.1). Enzalutamide Astellas in combination with androgen deprivation therapy is considered the preferred treatment option except for cases in which the addition of androgen deprivation therapy may result in unacceptable toxicity or risk.
Dysphagia related to product formulation
There have been reports of patients experiencing difficulty swallowing Enzalutamide Astellas, including reports of choking. The swallowing difficulties and choking events were mostly reported with the capsule formulation, which could be related to a larger product size. Patients should be advised to swallow the tablets whole with a sufficient amount of water.
Excipients
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (less than 23 mg) per film-coated tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
Potential for other medicinal products to affect enzalutamide exposures
CYP2C8 inhibitors
CYP2C8 plays an important role in the elimination of enzalutamide and in the formation of its active metabolite. Following oral administration of the strong CYP2C8 inhibitor gemfibrozil (600 mg twice daily) to healthy male subjects, the AUC of enzalutamide increased by 326% while Cmax of enzalutamide decreased by 18%. For the sum of unbound enzalutamide plus the unbound active metabolite, the AUC increased by 77% while Cmax decreased by 19%. Strong inhibitors (e.g. gemfibrozil) of CYP2C8 are to be avoided or used with caution during enzalutamide treatment. If patients must be co‑administered a strong CYP2C8 inhibitor, the dose of enzalutamide should be reduced to 80 mg once daily (see section 4.2).
CYP3A4 inhibitors
CYP3A4 plays a minor role in the metabolism of enzalutamide. Following oral administration of the strong CYP3A4 inhibitor itraconazole (200 mg once daily) to healthy male subjects, the AUC of enzalutamide increased by 41% while Cmax was unchanged. For the sum of unbound enzalutamide plus the unbound active metabolite, the AUC increased by 27% while Cmax was again unchanged. No dose adjustment is necessary when Enzalutamide Astellas is co‑administered with inhibitors of CYP3A4.
CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 inducers
Following oral administration of the moderate CYP2C8 and strong CYP3A4 inducer rifampin (600 mg once daily) to healthy male subjects, the AUC of enzalutamide plus the active metabolite decreased by 37% while Cmax remained unchanged. No dose adjustment is necessary when Enzalutamide Astellas is co-administered with inducers of CYP2C8 or CYP3A4.
Potential for enzalutamide to affect exposures to other medicinal products
Enzyme induction
Enzalutamide is a potent enzyme inducer and increases the synthesis of many enzymes and transporters; therefore, interaction with many common medicinal products that are substrates of enzymes or transporters is expected. The reduction in plasma concentrations can be substantial, and lead to lost or reduced clinical effect. There is also a risk of increased formation of active metabolites. Enzymes that may be induced include CYP3A in the liver and gut, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and uridine 5'‑diphospho‑glucuronosyltransferase (UGTs - glucuronide conjugating enzymes). Some transporters may also be induced, e.g. multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2) and the organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1).
In vivo studies have shown that enzalutamide is a strong inducer of CYP3A4 and a moderate inducer of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19. Co‑administration of enzalutamide (160 mg once daily) with single oral doses of sensitive CYP substrates in prostate cancer patients resulted in an 86% decrease in the AUC of midazolam (CYP3A4 substrate), a 56% decrease in the AUC of S‑warfarin (CYP2C9 substrate), and a 70% decrease in the AUC of omeprazole (CYP2C19 substrate). UGT1A1 may have been induced as well. In a clinical study in patients with metastatic CRPC, Enzalutamide Astellas (160 mg once daily) had no clinically relevant effect on the pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered docetaxel (75 mg/m2 by infusion every 3 weeks). The AUC of docetaxel decreased by 12% [geometric mean ratio (GMR) = 0.882 (90% CI: 0.767, 1.02)] while Cmax decreased by 4% [GMR = 0.963 (90% CI: 0.834, 1.11)].
Interactions with certain medicinal products that are eliminated through metabolism or active transport are expected. If their therapeutic effect is of large importance to the patient, and dose adjustments are not easily performed based on monitoring of efficacy or plasma concentrations, these medicinal products are to be avoided or used with caution. The risk for liver injury after paracetamol administration is suspected to be higher in patients concomitantly treated with enzyme inducers.
Groups of medicinal products that can be affected include, but are not limited to:
• Analgesics (e.g. fentanyl, tramadol)
• Antibiotics (e.g. clarithromycin, doxycycline)
• Anticancer agents (e.g. cabazitaxel)
• Antiepileptics (e.g. carbamazepine, clonazepam, phenytoin, primidone, valproic acid)
• Antipsychotics (e.g. haloperidol)
• Antithrombotics (e.g. acenocoumarol, warfarin, clopidogrel)
• Betablockers (e.g. bisoprolol, propranolol)
• Calcium channel blockers (e.g. diltiazem, felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, verapamil)
• Cardiac glycosides (e.g. digoxin)
• Corticosteroids (e.g. dexamethasone, prednisolone)
• HIV antivirals (e.g. indinavir, ritonavir)
• Hypnotics (e.g. diazepam, midazolam, zolpidem)
• Immunosuppressant (e.g. tacrolimus)
• Proton pump inhibitor (e.g. omeprazole)
• Statins metabolised by CYP3A4 (e.g. atorvastatin, simvastatin)
• Thyroid agents (e.g. levothyroxine)
The full induction potential of enzalutamide may not occur until approximately 1 month after the start of treatment, when steady-state plasma concentrations of enzalutamide are reached, although some induction effects may be apparent earlier. Patients taking medicinal products that are substrates of CYP2B6, CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 or UGT1A1 should be evaluated for possible loss of pharmacological effects (or increase in effects in cases where active metabolites are formed) during the first month of enzalutamide treatment and dose adjustment should be considered as appropriate. In consideration of the long half-life of enzalutamide (5.8 days, see section 5.2), effects on enzymes may persist for one month or longer after stopping enzalutamide. A gradual dose reduction of the concomitant medicinal product may be necessary when stopping enzalutamide treatment.
CYP1A2 and CYP2C8 substrates
Enzalutamide (160 mg once daily) did not cause a clinically relevant change in the AUC or Cmax of caffeine (CYP1A2 substrate) or pioglitazone (CYP2C8 substrate). The AUC of pioglitazone increased by 20% while Cmax decreased by 18%. The AUC and Cmax of caffeine decreased by 11% and 4%, respectively. No dose adjustment is indicated when a CYP1A2 or CYP2C8 substrate is co‑administered with Enzalutamide Astellas.
P‑gp substrates
In vitro data indicate that enzalutamide may be an inhibitor of the efflux transporter P‑gp. A mild inhibitory effect of enzalutamide, at steady‑state, on P-gp was observed in a study in patients with prostate cancer that received a single oral dose of the probe P-gp substrate digoxin before and concomitantly with enzalutamide (concomitant administration followed at least 55 days of once daily dosing of 160 mg enzalutamide). The plasma levels of digoxin were measured using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay. The AUC and Cmax of digoxin increased by 33% and 17%, respectively. Medicinal products with a narrow therapeutic range that are substrates for P‑gp (e.g. colchicine, dabigatran etexilate, digoxin) should be used with caution when administered concomitantly with Enzalutamide Astellas and may require dose adjustment to maintain optimal plasma concentrations.
Laboratory Test Interference
Falsely elevated digoxin plasma level results with the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) have been identified in patients treated with enzalutamide, independently of being treated with digoxin. Therefore, results of digoxin plasma levels obtained by CMIA should be interpreted with caution and confirmed by another type of assay before taking any action with digoxin doses.
BCRP substrates
At steady‑state, enzalutamide did not cause a clinically meaningful change in exposure to the probe breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) substrate rosuvastatin in patients with prostate cancer that received a single oral dose of rosuvastatin before and concomitantly with enzalutamide (concomitant administration followed at least 55 days of once daily dosing of 160 mg enzalutamide). The AUC of rosuvastatin decreased by 14% while Cmax increased by 6%. No dose adjustment is necessary when a BCRP substrate is co‑administered with Enzalutamide Astellas.
MRP2, OAT3 and OCT1 substrates
Based on in vitro data, inhibition of MRP2 (in the intestine), as well as organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3) and organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) (systemically) cannot be excluded. Theoretically, induction of these transporters is also possible, and the net effect is presently unknown.
Medicinal products which prolong the QT interval
Since androgen deprivation treatment may prolong the QT interval, the concomitant use of Enzalutamide Astellas with medicinal products known to prolong the QT interval or medicinal products able to induce Torsade 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. should be carefully evaluated (see section 4.4).
Effect of food on enzalutamide exposures
Food has no clinically significant effect on the extent of exposure to enzalutamide. In clinical trials, Enzalutamide Astellas was administered without regard to food.
Women of childbearing potential
There are no human data on the use of Enzalutamide Astellas in pregnancy and this medicinal product is not for use in women of childbearing potential. This medicine may cause harm to the unborn child or potential loss of pregnancy if taken by women who are pregnant (see sections 4.3, 5.3, and 6.6).
Contraception in males and females
It is not known whether enzalutamide or its metabolites are present in semen. A condom is required during and for 3 months after treatment with enzalutamide if the patient is engaged in sexual activity with a pregnant woman. If the patient engages in sexual intercourse with a woman of childbearing potential, a condom and another form of birth control must be used during and for 3 months after treatment. Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3).
Pregnancy
Enzalutamide is not for use in women. Enzalutamide is contraindicated in women who are or may become pregnant (see sections 4.3, 5.3, and 6.6).
Breast-feeding
Enzalutamide is not for use in women. It is not known if enzalutamide is present in human milk. Enzalutamide and/or its metabolites are secreted in rat milk (see section 5.3).
Fertility
Animal studies showed that enzalutamide affected the reproductive system in male rats and dogs (see section 5.3).
Enzalutamide Astellas may have moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines as psychiatric and neurologic events including seizure have been reported (see section 4.8). Patients should be advised of the potential risk of experiencing a psychiatric or neurological event while driving or operating machines. No studies to evaluate the effects of enzalutamide on the ability to drive and use machines have been conducted.
Summary of the safety profile
The most common adverse reactions are asthenia/fatigue, hot flush, hypertension, fractures, fall and headache. Other important adverse reactions include ischemic heart disease and seizure.
Seizure occurred in 0.6% of enzalutamide-treated patients, 0.1% of placebo-treated patients and 0.3% in bicalutamide-treated patients.
Rare cases of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome have been reported in enzalutamide‑treated patients (see section 4.4).
Stevens‑Johnson syndrome has been reported with enzalutamide treatment (see section 4.4).
Tabulated list of adverse reactions
Adverse reactions observed during clinical studies 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); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each frequency grouping, adverse reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.
Table 1: Adverse reactions identified in controlled clinical trials and post-marketing
MedDRA System organ class
Adverse reaction and frequency
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Uncommon: leucopenia, neutropenia
Not known*: thrombocytopenia
Immune system disorders
Not known*: face oedema, tongue oedema, lip oedema, pharyngeal oedema
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Not known*: decreased appetite
Psychiatric disorders
Common: anxietyUncommon: visual hallucination
Nervous system disorders
Very common: headache
Common: memory impairment, amnesia, disturbance in attention, dysgeusia, restless legs syndrome, cognitive disorder
Uncommon: seizure¥
Not known*: posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
Cardiac disorders
Common: ischemic heart disease†
Not known*: QT-prolongation (see sections 4.4 and 4.5)
Vascular disorders
Very common: hot flush, hypertension
Gastrointestinal disorders
Not known*: dysphagia∞, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
Hepatobiliary disorders
Uncommon: hepatic enzymes increased
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Common: dry skin, pruritus
Not known*: erythema multiforme, Stevens‑Johnson syndrome, rash
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Very common: fractures‡Not known*: myalgia, muscle spasms, muscular weakness, back pain
Reproductive system and breast disorder
Common: gynaecomastia, nipple pain#, breast tenderness#
General disorders and administration site conditions
Very common: asthenia, fatigue
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Very common: fall
* Spontaneous reports from post-marketing experience.
¥ As evaluated by narrow SMQs of 'Convulsions' including convulsion, grand mal convulsion, complex partial seizures, partial seizures, and status epilepticus. This includes rare cases of seizure with complications leading to death.
† As evaluated by narrow SMQs of 'Myocardial Infarction' and 'Other Ischemic Heart Disease' including the following preferred terms observed in at least two patients in randomized placebo-controlled phase 3 studies: angina pectoris, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarctions, acute myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, angina unstable, myocardial ischaemia, and arteriosclerosis coronary artery.
‡ Includes all preferred terms with the word 'fracture' in bones.
# Adverse reactions for enzalutamide as monotherapy.
∞ There have been reports of dysphagia, including reports of choking. Both events have mostly been reported with the capsule formulation, which could be related to a larger product size (see section 4.4).
Description of selected adverse reactions
Seizure
In controlled clinical studies, 31 patients (0.6%) experienced a seizure out of 5112 patients treated with a daily dose of 160 mg enzalutamide, whereas four patients (0.1%) receiving placebo and one patient (0.3%) receiving bicalutamide, experienced a seizure. Dose appears to be an important predictor of the risk of seizure, as reflected by preclinical data, and data from a dose-escalation study. In the controlled clinical studies, patients with prior seizure or risk factors for seizure were excluded.
In the 9785-CL-0403 (UPWARD) single-arm trial to assess incidence of seizure in patients with predisposing factors for seizure (whereof 1.6% had a history of seizures), 8 of 366 (2.2%) patients treated with enzalutamide experienced a seizure. The median duration of treatment was 9.3 months.
The mechanism by which enzalutamide may lower the seizure threshold is not known but could be related to data from in vitro studies showing that enzalutamide and its active metabolite bind to and can inhibit the activity of the GABA-gated chloride channel.
Ischemic Heart Disease
In randomised placebo-controlled clinical studies, ischemic heart disease occurred in 3.5% of patients treated with enzalutamide plus ADT compared to 2.1% of patients treated with placebo plus ADT. Fifteen (0.4%) patients treated with enzalutamide plus ADT and 3 (0.1%) patients treated with placebo plus ADT had an ischemic heart disease event that led to death.
In the EMBARK study, ischemic heart disease occurred in 6.2% of patients treated with enzalutamide plus leuprolide and 10.7% of patients treated with enzalutamide as monotherapy. One (0.3%) patient treated with enzalutamide plus leuprolide, one (0.3%) patient treated with placebo plus leuprolide and one (0.3%) patient treated with enzalutamide as monotherapy had an ischemic heart disease event that led to death.
Gynaecomastia
In the EMBARK study, gynaecomastia (all grades) was observed in 31 of 353 patients (8.8%) who were treated with enzalutamide plus leuprolide and 163 of 354 patients (46%) who were treated with enzalutamide as monotherapy. Grade 3 or higher gynaecomastia was not observed in any patients who were treated with enzalutamide plus leuprolide, and was observed in 1 patient (0.3%) treated with placebo plus leuprolide and 3 patients (0.8%) who were treated with enzalutamide as monotherapy.
Nipple pain
In the EMBARK study, nipple pain (all grades) was observed in 13 of 353 patients (3.7%) who were treated with enzalutamide plus leuprolide and 54 of 354 patients (15.3%) who were treated with enzalutamide as monotherapy. Grade 3 or higher nipple pain was not observed in any patients who were treated with enzalutamide plus leuprolide or with enzalutamide as monotherapy.
Breast tenderness
In the EMBARK study, breast tenderness (all grades) was observed in 4 of 353 patients (1.1%) who were treated with enzalutamide plus leuprolide and 51 of 354 patients (14.4%) who were treated with enzalutamide as monotherapy. Grade 3 or higher breast tenderness was not observed in any patients who were treated with enzalutamide plus leuprolide or with enzalutamide as monotherapy.
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.
There is no antidote for enzalutamide. In the event of an overdose, treatment with enzalutamide should be stopped and general supportive measures initiated taking into consideration the half‑life of 5.8 days. Patients may be at increased risk of seizures following an overdose.
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Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
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