Zytiga and Prednisone dosage

[bean1008]

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!

[Tall_Allen]

Check potassium levels.

[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 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 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 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 in reply to j-o-h-n]

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

[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 in reply to Schwah]

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

[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 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]

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

[kaptank]

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

[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 in reply to michael00]

Thanks Michael!! I'll check into losaetan!

[michael00 in reply to bean1008]

Losartan. Typo on my part

[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 in reply to Grumpyswife]

Glad to hear he's doing better!!

[Hidden]

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 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Lonnie!!

[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 in reply to toml77]

Good info, Tom! Thanks!

[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 in reply to leo2634]

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

[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 in reply to leo2634]

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

[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 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!