Abiraterone, standard or low dose.

[Professorgary]

I was wondering if many of the members take low dose abiraterone (250 mg and 300 calorie breakfast) and how many take the standard dose. And whether it was a patient doctor decision based on cost, toxicity, or some other reason.

[Tall_Allen]

The only reason to take with food was to save money. When abiraterone became available as a low cost generic, there was no longer any reason to guess about the bioavailable dose.

[Ztlf in reply to Tall_Allen]

Hi Tall_Allen, I don't quite understand this comment. My husband was told to take it two hours after and before eating...assuming that food limits bioavailability...but then why take it with food even though it is available in generic form? I imagine the food will change the amount that the patient absorbs, but it is hard to measure that, which results in inconsistent treatment.

[earstohear]

Yesterday was my 1-year anniversary for taking 250mg AA with one cup of corn flakes in one cup of whole milk. I fast 2 hours before and one hour after. I get monthly lab tests and both PSA and Testosterone remain undectable. Other lab tests results are all OK. MO did NOT approve. Everyone is different. I took this route to save money.

[Professorgary in reply to earstohear]

Yea I would like to take the low dose to save money as well if it is effective. I am going to talk to my MO about it tomorrow at my appointment. My guess would be he will say no simply because not every guy is ok with a 300 calorie low fat breakfast. One thing of interest is like Tall Allen said it won’t lower side effects. Also, Abi increases the good gut bacteria and one might not get that benefit with low dose.

[Deryck7]

Have taken the standard does for 3.5 years, all is well but wish I didn't have the side effects from Prednisolone. Hope this helps you. Best wishes.

[Chrisbaird]

I live in Scotland uk where prescription are free I’m on 500gm Zytiga wish I could go in 250 gm but they don’t supply that dosage in uk been 2.5 years undetectable told need to taking tablet as will maintain the prevention of cells on H T 3x monthly ..5gm prednisone daily with breakfast

[Gatodd]

I have been on Abi and prednisone for 21.5 months. Take the standard 1000 mg (4 pills of 250 mg each) 1 hour before breakfast. I also reduced alcohol consumption and drink rarely on special occasions - just to help out the liver. PSA undetectable, liver and kidney numbers look good First six months or so, blood pressure ran on the high side, which was very unusual for me It has returned to a better range

If all goes well, hoping to stop abi in 2.5 months as part of mimicking stampede trial.

[Nancyshub]

Pretty much the same - 250mg x 4 once per day.

On an empty stomach, with water at 7am, then go back to bed if I want. Can eat after 8 am which coincides with my wifes breakfast. Eating together is pretty much the highlight of my day.

Zero measurable PSA and most of my other chemistry is right on target.

[treedown]

I take 750mg. My first time around my Lymphocytes took a hit so the dropped it to this. This time around hood so far.

[Bdale]

I took the 250mg plus 5 Prednison as well as Lupron for 2 years, I had limited side effects.

But it stopped working for me and I switched to immunotherapy which is working.

Everyone's situation is different, so hopefully either way will work well for you.

[Oldunshavenone]

Food potentiates Abiraterone according to a pharmacist consult I had when starting this medication in addition to Eligard. I still take the four pills plus prednisone because of uncertainty as to effectiveness of the medication in lower doses with food.

[j-o-h-n]

Knock, Knock............ anybody home?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 10/01/2023 5:48 PM DST

[j-o-h-n]

Hello Prof...............

I usually take food with food.......

Humor gets me nowhere........... sillyness gets me to Bellevue.....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 10/01/2023 5:52 PM DST

[inthefight]

4x250 as per doctor's order for almost two years, now.

[Dlanghorne]

Started with full dose of 1000mg/day in July 2019. In November blood test both ALT and AST were high and Doc said to cut to 500mg. That's what I take now and eat or don't eat randomly. PSA has remained undectable since. So am still hanging in there ...next bloodwork next week??

[Rojoho]

I have been taking 250 mg for 3 years with about 300 calories and 10 g of fat. It has worked well. I stared this because my first months copay was $2000. It has worked well and so I continue. I figure it is better for the environment to not flush 750 mg every day. I take it first thing in the morning and fast 2 hours after. I was investigating doing this after the large copay and one on the nurses at the cancer center called and said my MO would not object do doing this.