My dad met his doctor today and will start zytiga tomorrow, with 1/2 dose first . The doctor explains that it is to observe side effects and then gradually increase until full dose. Anyone of you have experience of taking 1/2 dose ? Can you share that?
Thank you
There is quite a lot of experience in this forum and elsewhere on reduced dosage Zytiga + Prednisone being fully as effective at 1/4 dose when taken in the morning with a low fat meal rather than without food. This increases absorption substantially and provides fully effective levels in many if not most persons. So this is a consideration to reduce both side effects and cost. So starting with a half dose sounds entirely reasonable to me.
Drs are finally recognizing that 1/2 dose of Zytiga or Xtandi is the right way to go for many patients.. Full dose side effects can be a real killer for some of us.. I'm on 1/2 dose Xtandi as full dose made me an invalid..
My full dose Zytiga caused my liver numbers to rise close to 5 times normal. I stopped for 7 weeks and restarted at 1/2 dose. No problems so I went to 3/4 dose. No problems and I remain at 3/4 dose. It works for me. <0.01
I have good results from Zytiga for over a year , did not start out with half a dose though , minimal side effects , treatment worked well as my PSA dropped from 78 to 3.4 , sadly the cancer decided it was time for chemo .....
Had you had chemo before. If you did, what is the second chemo supposed to be?
Be sure he takes while fasting. I never met a patient started on a half dose. The full dose was determined to be optimal in Phase 1 clinical trials. It was determined to be most effective. Anything less just isn't as effective. If side effects are onerous, he can try a less effective lower dose. Be sure he is taking adequate prednisone with it.
Thank TA. The doctor said, taking zytiga +10mg prednisone. I saw most of people on Heathunloaded shared they took 5mg Prednisone. Have you had see any one with 10mg and do you know why it should be with 5 or 10mg?
5 mg for hormone-sensitive; 10 mg for castration-resistant. Check potassium and BP to assure it's enough.
I saw, tks you very much
I started on full dose and my liver could not tolerate 1000 mgs / day, nor 750/day. I'm on a 1/2 dose for 4 yrs and tolerate it well, now 77yo
Started with the full four pills. After seeing the Chicago results using 1 pill with 300 C breakfast, I mentioned to my doc, he had seen it and a few months later dropped the dosage for all of us taking four pills to the 1 pill and breakfast. Not only did it keep my PSA to .001 but by reducing prednisone to 1 pill lowered my morning glucose from 150 to 90!
So were you taking 10 mg prednisone and are now down to 5 mg?
Following the CSPC Prednisone recommendations from Zytiga? 
2 unopened, sealed bottles of Zytiga available for free donation
1 month Zytiga update. Goods and bads. 
Currently Xtandi Monotherapy, have had only Taxotere, no other therapy of any type. G9 2005. PSA rising now. Considering ADT 1/2 dose.
Zytiga and Food
