Zytiga

[kpw2018]

wondering if anyone has taken this drug. Doing radiation now, but when its over, Docs want me to take this for like 2 yrs. I have already had 1 shot of Lupron,, 1 every 6 months,, next one in August. Just putting this out there. Prostate was removed on Feb 6th this year thanks Kevin

[Tall_Allen]

There's no evidence that it adds any benefit to the adjuvant ADT you are taking with your SRT. But it sounds like you may had some very high risk characteristics. The important thing is to get adequate dose of SRT - at least 70 -72 Gy.

[Scruffybut1]

I have already had 2 full years of Zytiga. For me to date nil side effects. In those 2 years PSA dropped from 13.8 month 1 to a constant 0.03 to Max 0.06. Median 0.04. All PSA monthly from 167 Oct 2014, to Jan 12 2015 @200 pre 8 months chemo to Zytiga.

[leo2634]

Its worked for me as my first line of treatment PSA went from14.7 to undetectable in one month only side effects are hot flashes which are tolerable, and ED Which so far is managed. Don't be afraid of the Zytiga I was until i joined this forum it changed my life for the better. Best of luck never give up never surrender. Leo

[vandy69]

Good Friday Morning kpw2018,

I have been it this battle for almost six years (please see bio for complete treatment history).

Took Zytiga plus prednisone for about 18 months before failure.

Main side effect was from prednisone, as I developed moon face from this steroid, but went back to normal after moving on to other treatments.

Best wishes. Never Give In.

Mark, Atlanta

[kpw2018 in reply to vandy69]

thanks

[Mpmeyers1]

I took zytiga and it did not help me. My PSA went from 7.6 to 19.3. Zytiga works for some but not others. I had no side affects, maybe that was telling me it is not working. Good luck.

[Mkeman]

In addition to Eligard (similar to Lupron) I have been on Zytiga/prednisone for six months. Other than occasional periods of fatigue, I have had no apparent side effects. During that time my PSA became undetectable. I have had slight swelling of the cheeks, but I am told it makes me look younger as it stretches out the wrinkles. At the last visit with my MO she halved the prednisone dose from 5mg to 2.5mg twice a day. She said that recent studies have shown the lower dose to be just as effective. The reason for Xytiga is to shutdown the body’s testosterone producers other than testes which are shutdown by the Eligard or Lupron. Zytiga was developed in the UK in the nineties. If you Google “history of Xytiga” you will find an interesting aarticle on its development. Apparently the agency that developed the drug still gets royalties from its production. The article doesn’t address why the drug is so expensive, given that the manufacturers had no development expense. I wish you well.

[RonL]

Been on Zytiga ever since I became castrate resistant 16 months ago. Didn’t notice any side effects other than fatigue and ED which I was already experiencing from the Eligard. So far my PSA has been undetectable.

[Mkeman]

One other comment on Zytiga....the Counselor who works at helping find ways for patients to pay for expensive drugs told me that if you make less than $94,000 a year you can get the drug from the company for free...

[EdMiller]

I was on Zytiga + prednisone for two years before it failed to work. My oncologist halved the recommended prednisone dosage. I felt great the entire time other than mild hot flashes a few times per day. My PSA went from around 4 to 0.05 during the first 4 months and stayed there for the next 20 months.