Prednisone/Inflammation

Quite a lot of us are taking Prednisone along with Xgeva, Zytiga, etc. I understand it works as an anti-inflammatory.

When my Onc put me on Zytiga, he was going to put me on Prednisone 5mg, twice a day. Then he said, no, just take one a day, you should be OK. So, it's one a day, when I remember to take it. It's actually about three times a week. I don't feel any ill effects from not taking it.

What gets inflamed from the meds? Somebody has this info, amirite pjoshea13 ?

Thanks All, Joe

[George79]

I'm taking 2 a day with Zytiga to prevent liver damage.

[charmander]

My understanding is that with hormone therapy along with the testosterone production stopped also stops the body's natural production of prednisone. My doc said the pred replaces what isn't produced anymore so that the liver is not damaged.

[Hidden]

I can understand the liver issue, thanks. All my tests show my innards in pretty good shape, including a spotless liver. (and, except the spot on my kidney) And for a 57 year old beer lover, that ain't too bad.

Peace, Joe

[Hidden]

I learned over twelve years ago from my Research Medical Oncologist that Prednidsone has Prostate Cancer cell killing properties. It is why I took 30 mg orally a day (20 mg in morning and 10mg in evening) every day for six months. Just like Estramustine (280mg orally three times a day for seven days in combination with Taxotere infusion) and Ketoconazole (400 mg orally three times a day for seven days in combination with Doxorubicin infusions, also have Prostate Cancer cell killing properties.

The only draw back is that I gained 90 pounds during the six months. But that was a pretty good trade off for me.

Gourd Dancer

[JoelT]

Prednisone or sometimes hydrocortisone are added to Zytiga because Zytiga blocks the natural and necessary production of this hormone from the adrenal gland.

Joel

[JoelT in reply to JoelT]

Prednisone also does have, as mentioned by Gourd Dancer, some killing effect on prostate cancer cells and historically had been used as a treatment in early treatment of prostate cancer (not in newly diagnosed, but before we had developed other newer and better treatments). The problem is that steroids have their own significant side effects that often are unpleasant.

Joel