Advice: Starting Zytiga and prednison... - Advanced Prostate...

Advanced Prostate Cancer

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Advice: Starting Zytiga and prednisone tomorrow

DeanNelson profile image
43 Replies

Any words of wisdom ?...

Its says no food...empty stomach 2 hours before and one hour after taking the Zytiga

(4 X 250mg every day)

I was thinking eating breakfast....then taking it 2 hours after ...then waiting the hour for lunch....?...

I am also on degarelix injection..once every 28 days shot....

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DeanNelson profile image
DeanNelson
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43 Replies
ITCandy profile image
ITCandy

Taking it during my middle of the night bathroom break works for me. If you’re lucky enough to sleep all night, then your solution would work well.

Zytiga has been excellent for me. Hope you have a great response as well.

DeanNelson profile image
DeanNelson in reply toITCandy

thanks!!!

Dan59 profile image
Dan59 in reply toDeanNelson

I too took it at my 4 am bathroom wakeup as ITcandy says, then go back to bed for a few hours ,wake up and have breakfast

Chugach profile image
Chugach

I take it first thing in the morning with water and coffee and then pred after breakfast- waiting to eat is a good habit, eating less is good. It woke me up when I took it at night - morning works better for me. It’s been great rounding the corner on 1 year zy/pre and PSA now at 0.1

JamesAtlanta profile image
JamesAtlanta

I’m still working and picking the right time is tough. I generally take it at around 10pm. But if we eat dinner late I either have to stay up or set my alarm.

I originally was getting up at 5am to take it, but then did not get enough sleep.

Your plan sounds good. I may try it myself.

Two main things: Never take it without waiting 2 hours since you last ate. I forgot and cut it too close once ... you can really feel yourself getting too much medicine. Also take the prednisone in the morning - helps combat fatigue and it won’t keep you awake.

Best of luck - it has brought my PSA back to undetectable for 5 months. Really can be an effective treatment!

James

Cmdrdata profile image
Cmdrdata

I take my Z and prednisone after I get up in the morning with water and coffee soon after. Breakfast and hour or two later. Been on it for 2 months, including Firmagon shots. PSA started 4.4, then 0.3, and recently 0.2. Good luck. No serious side effect except tiredness by late afternoon after various physical activities. Blood glucose. Somewhat elevated.

joancarles profile image
joancarles

I take Zityga at 7 o'clock in the morning and about 8:30 breakfast and I take prednisone. At this time, and after 9 months, it is working well for me. Last revision PSA 0,18. Surely it will work for you.

DeanNelson profile image
DeanNelson in reply tojoancarles

Awesome ..

Polly092750 profile image
Polly092750

My Husbands Dr told me If he takes It with Food It's like taking 10 times the MG. So ask your Dr.

drsridhar53 profile image
drsridhar53 in reply toPolly092750

I have a suspicion that this is correct. I have been waking up at 0500 each day to swallow the wonder medicine, but fortunately I manage to go to sleep again. The pill is probably better absorbed with some food, I don't know...I am not a doctor. But the pharma companies will then lose out!!

Daddysdaughter profile image
Daddysdaughter

My fathers MO said take only 2 pills with a low-fat breakfast. This is only under direct physicians supervision and discretion. My fathers PSA dropped from 98 to 54 in 14 days. Only side effect is fatigue.

drsridhar53 profile image
drsridhar53 in reply toDaddysdaughter

Atta Girl!! Daddysdaughter!! I think your daddy is boldly on the right track. I dare not go against my MO's instructions...at least d]so far.

MikeDonald profile image
MikeDonald

I take Zytiga at 5.30am every morning before going to the gym. I then have prednisone with my breakfast around 8.00am. At weekend times are pushed back an hour or so. PSA undetectable since taking this combo over 12 months now. PSA was 348 when diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago. Have Leuprorin injection every 3 months and have done since diagnosis in conjunction with Chemo for the first 5 months.

drsridhar53 profile image
drsridhar53 in reply toMikeDonald

You have put heart into me MikeDonld. Thank you! After 2x 500 mg at 0500 Hrs (Empty stomach of course) for three months my PSA reduced from 11.8 to 4.2. No precipitate drop from hundreds to 0,00XX. I was wondering if Abiraterone is really doing any good, except occasional fits of fatigue. Even that not enough to assuage that the medicine is really working. I have to take the PSA at 6 months on 25th June. If it drops further my MO and I have agreed to try taking with light food for one month and check PSA..

MikeDonald profile image
MikeDonald in reply todrsridhar53

Thanks for your kind words. I have a twenty eight day supply of Abiraterone and prior to the drug delivery by my healthcare provider, I have a blood test so my PSA readings and other blood readings are known every 4 weeks. I have no side effects from Abiraterone or Leuprorlelin and only a little bit of weight gain with Prednisone. In that sense I consider myself more fortunate than some who post on here and other forums about the side effects.

drsridhar53 profile image
drsridhar53 in reply toMikeDonald

Thanks MikeDonald. I have puffed up too with the Pred. In five months my weight has gone up 4 kg. Doc jokes that I no no longer look like an Oxfam Ad character. Otherwise no intolerable side effects.

drsridhar53 profile image
drsridhar53 in reply toMikeDonald

Sorry for the curiosity. How come you are up so late? What time is it where you live? I am India, enjoying the 40 deg Sun at 1400 hrs!!

MikeDonald profile image
MikeDonald in reply todrsridhar53

I’m in the UK - currently 9.30am. About 18 degrees C

drsridhar53 profile image
drsridhar53 in reply toMikeDonald

I envy you, despite that the Beast is after you too!! I wish I was there!

lincolnj8 profile image
lincolnj8

I take a stomach pill and a calcium pill first thing in the morning. Then an hour or so take the prednisone with food then nothing for 2 hrs till the Zytiga . then wait an hour for lunch. Then later in the day maybe around 4 pm at dinner time I take the 2nd prednisone pill with another calcium pill. Works for me. Psa when from 851 down to less than 1.

drsridhar53 profile image
drsridhar53 in reply tolincolnj8

Thanks for the post lincolnj8. You give me heart. In what time frame was this result? Mine reduced from 11,8 to 4,2 after three months. Is that significant? My MO thinks it us.

lincolnj8 profile image
lincolnj8 in reply todrsridhar53

My time frame was 4 months. Your drop looks good to me. Soon it may be down near 1. I wish you well, so far looks good for both of us.

leo2634 profile image
leo2634

I take Zytiga at 6:00 am with at least 12 oz. Of water someone on this site recommend this to me to subside any discomfort from the Zytiga. I do this religiously and no side effects. I take the Prednisone after Breakfast around 9:00 am make sure you don't eat with Zytiga and eat first before Prednisone. I also take Eligard injections to compete Hormone therapy. Get ready for some life style changes and a significant drop in your sex life other than that it does the job. My PSA was 14b in March down to 0.1 almost undetecable in April I feel better then I have in years only side effects are hot flashes which are tolerable along with E.D. that can be addressed in several ways. Welcome to the club which none of us applied for but got accepted.Brother in arms Leo.

lincolnj8 profile image
lincolnj8

Welcome to the club...Good one leo2634. My Sunday surprise was last Christmas when taken to the ER. Prostate cancer? What's that LOL. This is a great forum for us "club" members.

leo2634 profile image
leo2634 in reply tolincolnj8

Thanks Linc,you would think that being so easy for us to get in this club A PC would at least treat us to a round of golf or at least supply the balls ( pun intended) . Have a great day Brother never give up never surrender. Leo

DeanNelson profile image
DeanNelson

Just did that today Leo....going to go with taking it early am...then eating breakfast with my prednisone ...thanks brother

leo2634 profile image
leo2634 in reply toDeanNelson

Hi Dean it works for me don't forget the 12oz. Of water with the Zytiga and eat first before the Prednisone. I know most of us all have our own way that works for them just sharing what worked for me. Now go out hit some golf balls and enjoy life. Never give up never surrender. Leo

BAPMiami profile image
BAPMiami

Good morning - I take:

Zytiga - 250mg - 4 tabs per day

Predisone - 5mg x 2 a day.

I do my prednisone one at 7am and one at 7pm. I take all the Zytiga at 10am. My instructions are to take my Zytiga 1 hour after eating and no eating after I take them for two hours.

This process has worked very well for me. I do get hot flashes and fatigue; I can live with this!

Stay strong my friend.

Brian

BAPMiami

DeanNelson profile image
DeanNelson in reply toBAPMiami

Thanks Brian!!

louschu profile image
louschu

If you eat a consistent low fat breakfast, look for the recent articles about cutting the dose and taking with food. Also saves $.

Rmanns profile image
Rmanns

I got 2 years of PSA around 0 with Zytiga. I didn't worry too much about timing Zytiga just approximate. But NEVER take perednisone after 2 PM.

DeanNelson profile image
DeanNelson in reply toRmanns

Did it keep you up?

leo2634 profile image
leo2634 in reply toDeanNelson

Hi Dean i take my 2nd Prednisone after dinner no problems so far.

Rmanns profile image
Rmanns

Yes Steroids are well known for this side effect.

Grizzly_Bear profile image
Grizzly_Bear

MEDICAL CONDITION

I am 74 yrs old and was diagnosed with stage 4 - Metastatic Prostate Cancer on February 23, 2018.

My PSA was 18 and Gleason 9. Biopsy indicated all 12 samples were positive, half with a 4+5 Gleason and half with a 5+4.

Scan showed metastasis to the bones with multiple lesions on both femurs, iliac, and sacral bones.

Body Scan shows metastasis to the ribs and lumbar spine. CT of chest and abdomen shows lesions in lungs.

ZYTIGA/PREDNISONE - EXPERIENCE / DOSAGE

I have been on Lupron for 3 months and Zytiga/Prednisone for 2 months. Adding Zytiga/ Prednisone to Lurpon, no noticeable additional side effects other than minor increase in fatigue and hot flashes.

I have dinner about 7:00 PM. I take Zytiga 2 hrs after dinner, about 9:00 PM. I take Prednisone 1 hrs after Zytiga, about 10:00 PM with a snack before getting ready for bed. Works for me.

OPINION

You may hear horror stories about reactions to the Lupron, Zytiga/Prednisone, combo. I am sure that for some the side effects and impacts of those medications are terrible; however, I believe the majority on those medications have minimal side effects and tolerate those medications well. The things is, you don't usually hear from the folks that are doing well, only those that have negative effects. Bottom line, don't fear impacts, side effects.

Good luck and keep positive.

Best,

Grizzly Bear

DeanNelson profile image
DeanNelson in reply toGrizzly_Bear

Thanks Grizzly Bear

Joes-dad profile image
Joes-dad

There seems to be a lot of similarities in what everyone is doing and how they react and the results.

I take two 500mg Zytiga's at 5:00am before I walk our dog and then eat breakfast at 6:30. I follow that with 5mg of Prednisone. I take a second 5mg Prednisone after dinner. On a side note, I picked the 500mg Zytiga instead of the 250's because it seemed easier (and don't laugh but mentally taking two 500's seemed like I was taking less medicine than four 250's).

I didn't get any bad side effects other than a large appetite for the 1st few weeks and a little weight gain.

Mkeman profile image
Mkeman in reply toJoes-dad

The combination of Eligard or Lupron and Zytiga and prednisone has caused my bone mets to regress. But my bone density has reached osteoporosis stage. If you are taking these drugs make sure your MO has a plan to monitor and treat declining bone density. Ask for a referral to a physical therapist who works with osteoporosis patients. Falls and broken bones are more immediate threats than the cancer itself.

leo2634 profile image
leo2634 in reply toMkeman

Hi MK ,My doctor also gave me Xgeva injections to strengthen the bones once a month along with calcium and vitamin D supplements.

Magnus1964 profile image
Magnus1964

My advise would be to take it 2 hours after breakfast. That way it may not interfere with your sleep patterns.

Kezza2 profile image
Kezza2

There is some evidence that taking Zytiga with a low fat breakfast can reduce the dose needed, but I doubt the drug company will ever tell you that. I was on Zytiga and Pred for 2 years before it failed. Watch your weight gain (not that you can do anything about it ) and expect your blood pressure to elevate, so keep an eye on it. You may need to include BP medication, or adjust your dose. Also make sure when you come off Pred that you do it SLOWLY over at least 6 weeks of reducing doses or your BP will go crazy

FightingforSmith profile image
FightingforSmith

Hi Dean! This is exactly our current course. My guy takes it when he gets up, so the timing stays consistent. He's had issues with the prednisone affecting his esophagus/reflux, and muscle loss, but otherwise doing well on it.

Miguelnumerouno profile image
Miguelnumerouno

Good morning Kezza.....so with the failure of Zytiga....what did you go on next please?

Michael

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