Abiraterone/Zytiga

[fredyworks]

I have been taking Zytiga with 5mg prednisone for 6years now I have had side effects of high blood pressure now I have low Potassium level of 2.7 .has anyone else had this issue. My kidney doctor said double the dose of potassium from 10meq to 20 each day and check level in on week. Oncologist said double prednisone to 10mg . I have cataracts and thinning skin and bruising from prednisone. Has any one had this experience and what was done to resolve issue from Zuniga side effects.

Thanks for your help

[mrscruffy]

My Potassium level was so low I needed an infusion. Tried 10mg and changing diet. Didn't work, doubling dose did work.

[Gearhead]

Another option is to switch from prednisone to dexamethasone. (Dex dose should be about 1/10 Pred dose) Adding eplerenone may also help. Lots of posts on this subject. Try various search terms

FYI, I'm also 6 years abiraterone. Experienced high BP and some edema. Also have easily bruised and cut forearms. Tried different combinations. I now take 0.5 mg/day dexamethasone & 12.5 mg/day eplerenone with abiraterone. BP is a little lower than when taking prednisone, but difference is small.

[Tall_Allen]

IMO your oncologist is right. But maybe try 7.5 mg/day (in the morning) to see if that's enough.

prostatecancer.news/2019/06...

[gsun in reply to Tall_Allen]

Doesn’t prednisone increase BP? If so, why would you take more?

[Tall_Allen in reply to gsun]

Not with Zytiga--- it does the opposite. This explains:

prostatecancer.news/2019/06...

[gsun in reply to Tall_Allen]

Well, my BP has gone down to normal after reducing my pred from 10mg to 5mg. I feel better. Less edgey. I will ask for an ACTH and potassium level next blood test.

[Tall_Allen in reply to gsun]

Everyone is different for their own optimum replacement amount.

[Professorgary]

I am on lupron and Abi and 5mg prednisone. My potassium runs between 4.5 and 5.2. Blood pressure great. If you google magnesium in relation to potassium you will find that low magnesium leads to low potassium, high blood pressure and a host of other problems. 50% of Americans are magnesium deficient and if you are taking a proton pump inhibitor that number goes higher. I am going to take a guess here that your doctor never tested your serum magnesium. I take 400 mg of magnesium glycinate the daily. Seriously, research how important magnesium is to your health and then ask your doctor why it isn’t included in your blood tests. God bless.

[GoBucks]

Have you ever discussed with your Doc lowering your dosage of abiraterone? Worth a discussion imho.