Zytiga and Prednisone dosage - Advanced Prostate...

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Zytiga and Prednisone dosage

bean1008 profile image
27 Replies

I’m currently taking 5mg prednisone daily along with my 1000mg abiraterone. I’ve noticed that my blood pressure has been creeping up… averaging maybe 140/80. Is this a case where I would maybe be a candidate for 10 mg of prednisone instead of just 5mg? I see my oncologist next week and plan on asking but wondered what other people are taking that are on this treatment plan (3 mo Lupron as well). Thanks!

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bean1008
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27 Replies
Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen

Check potassium levels.

Schwah profile image
Schwah in reply to Tall_Allen

Interesting that you say that TA. Why? Not to hijack this post, but my potassium is down to 3.2 and Scholz wants me to double up to 10mg prednisone. Does that make sense? Are you concerned that bean1008 might get too high a potassium level?

Schwah

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply to Schwah

No, too low. Hypokalemia can arise from not taking enough prednisone with Zytiga. Low potassium, high BP and edema can result.

Schwah profile image
Schwah in reply to Tall_Allen

You’re right. Mine is too low. Bp good tho. They doubled me up to 10mg and lots of bananas etc.

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply to Schwah

Now watch those bananas..... Warning: don't put them in the frig............ Leaves no room for the beer............

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 10/28/2021 6:40 PM DST

Schwah profile image
Schwah in reply to j-o-h-n

Goof point. I think beer has more potassium than bananas anyway.

j-o-h-n profile image
j-o-h-n in reply to Schwah

Deposit bottles/cans too, to take girlfriend out to dinner.............. Skins, deposit free, to take the wife out to dinner.......

Good point = Goof point 😀

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Thursday 10/28/2021 7:56 PM DST

bean1008 profile image
bean1008 in reply to Schwah

My potassium is 4.8 so I think that’s a good number.

Tall_Allen profile image
Tall_Allen in reply to bean1008

Yes, so prednisone isn't the issue. Your BP isn't that high - possibly control with diet, exercise, no smoking, meditation, etc.?

bean1008 profile image
bean1008 in reply to Tall_Allen

I could always use more exercise and improve on my diet! I could stand to lose 15-20 pounds. I’ve been working on both this week and noticed that today my systolic had dropped by a good five points. Might be the answer!

davebliz profile image
davebliz

I was on Zytiga for 8 months as part of a clinical trial. I had 10 mg Prednisone with it.

kaptank profile image
kaptank

10mg pred is the normal dose. 5mg is just the starting dose.

michael00 profile image
michael00

My BP was climbing, we added 25mg losaetan and it seems to have helped. Blood sugar was also rising. We cut prednisone from 10mg to 5 amd rhat had a positive effect on lowering blood sugar.

bean1008 profile image
bean1008 in reply to michael00

Thanks Michael!! I'll check into losaetan!

michael00 profile image
michael00 in reply to bean1008

Losartan. Typo on my part

Grumpyswife profile image
Grumpyswife

My husband is on half dose of abiraterone (along with full dose of darolutamide) and told he would not need prednisone until/unless he goes full dose abi.

He had an early morning cortisol test ordered by his endocrinologist which came back low. That is a poor indication for adrenal gland. She asked him to start the 5 mg of prednisone and to inform his oncologist of the situation. She said it would make my husband feel better. He says he already feels great.

His blood pressure has been slightly elevated but at his age slightly high is better for fall prevention.

bean1008 profile image
bean1008 in reply to Grumpyswife

Glad to hear he's doing better!!

We were on Zytiga for 2 1/2 years. Took 5 mg prednisone twice a day. Around a year and a half to two years in his blood pressure went up as well. He was on high blood pressure med until we got off of the Zytiga. Then it returned to normal.

bean1008 profile image
bean1008 in reply to

Thanks Lonnie!!

toml77 profile image
toml77

My BP slowly rose when I as on Zytiga/Prednisone. When I brought it to the attention of my MO they put me on Amlodipine 5 mg/day. Am now on Xtandi and am still on the BP med and monitoring it at home. 140-150's in the AM and 110-120's in the evening. I find that hydration is key to controlling it.

All the Best, Tom

bean1008 profile image
bean1008 in reply to toml77

Good info, Tom! Thanks!

leo2634 profile image
leo2634

My Doctor cut me down to 750mg. Zytiga and one 5mg. Prednisone in the morning with Breakfast, one half pill at Dinner. That was three years ago and all my numbers have been good including BP. PSA steady at 0.1 Never give up Never surrender. Leo

bean1008 profile image
bean1008 in reply to leo2634

Good to know, Leo! I wondered if we might tinker a bit with my Zytiga dosage!

leo2634 profile image
leo2634 in reply to bean1008

Please don't tinker ask your Doctor first. I'm sure you know by now we are all different as is our Cancers. It's worth talking to him about. Good luck.

bean1008 profile image
bean1008 in reply to leo2634

Goodness no! I wouldn’t dream of doing that! 😳

leo2634 profile image
leo2634 in reply to bean1008

Again my dosage is and has been for over three years now. Three Zytiga 750 mg. On an empty stomach early AM: one Prendisone 5mg with Breakfast ,one half Prendisone with dinner. I also take Calcium, Vitamin D,Fish oil pills,and Magnesium supplements. By Doctor advice. I hope this helps all my numbers returned to normal and PSA is 0.1 Leo

bean1008 profile image
bean1008 in reply to leo2634

Thanks Leo…I wrote to my MO last week that I wanted to discuss at my appt on this coming Tuesday. I think your approach sounds reasonable. Best wishes!

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