Switch to generic Zytiga

[harryb48]

My insurance carrier has switched me from Zytiga to Abiraterone Acetate , which I know is the generic equivalent effective 01/21. My only concern at this point is my PSA has increased from .04 in January to .12 in July, could there possibly be a correlation? Same dosage.

[Magnus1964]

I don't think there would be unless the manufacturer of the generic fudged the batch of drugs.

[harryb48]

That is a definite concern, the last two tests were steady at .12. PSA is being checked monthly along with testosterone which is steady at <4.33.

[Shooter1 in reply to harryb48]

I sat roughly stable at 0.12/0.13 for 3 years.. hope you enjoy as good a result...

[harryb48 in reply to Shooter1]

I sat at .04 for about two years, now this slow increase to .12; hope it stays there.

[Tall_Allen]

Probably not. Try switching to dexamethasone.

[harryb48 in reply to Tall_Allen]

I am going to bring that up with my doctor, thanks!

[Jif1]

While I cannot comment on the change of meds, I was on Zytiga for 2 years along with Prednisone and hormone therapy. All of that ended last July and I have been stabilized with no evidence of cancer.

[harryb48 in reply to Jif1]

That's great!!!

[harryb48]

Thanks, looks like I'll be doing every thirty days for awhile!

[Cooolone]

In all probability not related as already noted ...

But if we all experienced this I think we too would have that very question in the back of our minds!

Why then, just on the possibility alone, wouldn't the doctor get involved and fight on your behalf with the insurance carrier for a return to the non-generic form of the drug? Even for shits n giggles?

There's be no harm for sure... But the curiosity would then be removed, and the forever "what if" put to bed. Even if not for any indication on a greater scale, but just that for this one individual, treated as such, which drug worked best!

Regards!