Familiarity with Apalutamide Effectiveness, Costs?

[john4803]

Anyone have experience w Apalutamide? After RALP, Lupron, RT & off Lupron 1.5y my PC has gone metastatic. Going back on Lupron & Apalutamde. Copay of $3K per month.

[MJCA]

Hi. I have been on apalutamide/Erleada for about 40 months. I am currently taking a 3 month break.

Check with Janssen, the drug’s manufacturer. They have programs in place for financial assistance. Go to Erleada.com best of luck

[john4803 in reply to MJCA]

MJCA, looking at your Bio, if you don't mind, what were you on from 2005-2018. Thanks, for the link! What kind of SE's?

[MJCA in reply to john4803]

First Casodex and Lupron. Then I had seeds implanted. Then I believe 32 or 36 sessions of radiation. As my PSA went up, I would be placed on Lupron for 12-24 months. This happened about 4-5 times over the years. When my body rejected Lupron, that’s when I started Erleada.

[john4803 in reply to MJCA]

Wow, quite the adventure, MJCA! Lupron was enough for me until I went off. T stayed in 200's & PSA <0.1. But when T jumped 35% to 330, PC went crazy. Hopefully, Lupron will do the trick & Erleada is a backup? I know we can take Erleada w or w/o food but do you have a preference of either or time of day? Thanks, so much for your input!

[MJCA in reply to john4803]

I take 1 pill 4x a day. With or without food. Erleada is taken in conjunction with Lupron. They work together.

[john4803 in reply to MJCA]

Yeah, MJCA, I take 4/day. Took my 1st last night at 7pm. Thanks!

[Hailwood]

I have been on Erleada/Lupron for 23 months now, no issues that stop me working all day and PSA 0.02 with T 0.5. I'm so sorry to hear of a co-pay of $3000/month. Best of luck

[john4803 in reply to Hailwood]

Hailwood, sounds like you are doing well? Same question to you, do you find it better to take with/wo food & time of day? Hang in there & thanks so much!

[Hailwood]

I always worry about the fatigue issue, so I take it in the evening before bed, with or without food and I haven’t noticed any difference.

[john4803 in reply to Hailwood]

Sounds logical, Hailwood. I took my 1st dosage at 7pm for similar reasons. Also, don't have to carry them with when out on errands, doc. visits, etc. during the day. Thanks!

[bglendi53]

After my Radical Prostatectomy, my PSA jumped to 165 in just 4 months. Immediately went on Apaludamide ( Erleada ) and Lupron. Was down to .20 within 6 months. But I'm now climbing again and my PSA is 19.9 just the other day. Testosterone is 19 and the last scans look stable, so I don't know what the hell is going on with the PSA. I also started a Xofigo 6 month program two months ago as well as staying on the Erleada and Lupron. So three fatigue drugs now, I'm so used to it I don't really know the difference now.

The only two side effects that I noticed was the fatigue and hot flashes. I don't get the flashes much anymore, they come and go.

[john4803 in reply to bglendi53]

Sorry, to hear about your struggles. I am only 2 days into Erleada but some guys recommend taking it late at night, so fatigue coincides with sleep, I guess? I was on Lupron for 2.5 yrs., ending 1-1/2 years ago & only had "warm flashes" I would characterize them as. Made sure to exercise, run/jog, lift weights & may have helped. My wife is a retired Dietitian, so my diet is excellent, also. I will get monthly injections of Denosumab for bone health, also. Thanks for your input & try to stay the course, as best you can!

[bglendi53 in reply to john4803]

I'm sure you probably already know this but make sure you take them around the same time every day.

[john4803 in reply to bglendi53]

Yes, that's been hammered home to me, pretty well, but thanks for the reminder because PCa patients can have bad memories! 😀

[Jpl506]

I’ve been taking Erleada for 24 months. No problems other than elevated liver enzymes shortly after starting. They resolved after lowering the dose for a few weeks and I’ve been taking the full dose since. I take all 4 pills with lunch everyday.

[john4803 in reply to Jpl506]

Yeah, I'll have to watch the Liver. See that can be a problem! Thanks and hang in there!

[john4803]

I quickly reached the $7K catastrophic coverage with my insurance now am only paying about $720/month for Erleada. 🤪