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New search Medicine profile Abiraterone acetate

Clinical medicine profile

Abiraterone acetate

CYP17 androgen synthesis inhibitor (oncology)

POM
Evidence state Source-linked Review date not recorded
Route
See product SmPC
Schedule
POM
ATC
Not assigned
PPB status
registered
Patient advice Check interactions
01 Risk first

Safety essentials

The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
  • Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.

Precautions

  • 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Mineralocorticoid excess: Closely monitor patients with cardiovascular disease.
  • Control hypertension and correct hypokalemia before treatment.
  • Monitor blood pressure, serum potassium and symptoms of fluid retention at least monthly.
  • ( 5.1 ) Adrenocortical insufficiency: Monitor for symptoms and signs of adrenocortical insufficiency.
  • Increased dosage of corticosteroids may be indicated before, during and after stressful situations.
  • ( 5.2 ) Hepatotoxicity: Can be severe and fatal.
  • Monitor liver function and modify, interrupt, or discontinue abiraterone acetate dosing as recommended.
  • ( 5.3 ) Increased fractures and mortality in combination with radium Ra 223 dichloride: Use of abiraterone acetate plus prednisone/prednisolone in combination with radium Ra 223 dichloride is not recommended.
  • (5.4) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: Abiraterone acetate can cause fetal harm.
  • Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception.
  • ( 5.5 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) Hypoglycemia: Severe hypoglycemia has been reported in patients with pre-existing diabetes who are taking medications containing thiazolidinediones (including pioglitazone) or repaglinide.
  • Monitor blood glucose in patients with diabetes and assess if antidiabetic agent dose modifications are required.
02 Point of care

Dosing matrix

Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.

Adult

­ Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: • Abiraterone acetate tablets 1,000 mg orally once daily with prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily. ( 2.1 ) Metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer: • Abiraterone acetate tablets 1,000 mg orally once daily with prednisone 5 mg orally once daily. ( 2.2 ) Patients receiving abiraterone acetate tablets should also receive a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog concurrently or should have had bilateral orchiectomy. Abiraterone acetate tablets must be taken as a single dose once daily on an empty stomach. Do not eat food 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking abiraterone acetate tablets. The tablets must be swallowed whole with water. Do not crush or chew tablets.( 2.3) Dose Modification: • For patients with baseline moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B), reduce the abiraterone acetate tablets starting dose to 250 mg once daily. ( 2.4 ) • For patients who develop hepatotoxicity during treatment, hold abiraterone acetate tablets until recovery. Retreatment may be initiated at a reduced dose. Abiraterone acetate tablets should be discontinued if patients develop severe hepatotoxicity. ( 2.4 ) 2.1 Recommended Dose for Metastatic CRPC The recommended dose of abiraterone acetate tablets is 1,000 mg (two 500 mg tablets or four 250 mg tablets) orally once daily with prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily. 2.2 Recommended Dose for Metastatic High-risk CSPC The recommended dose of abiraterone acetate tablets is 1,000 mg (two 500 mg tablets or four 250 mg tablets) orally once daily with prednisone 5 mg administered orally once daily. 2.3 Important Administration Instructions Patients receiving abiraterone acetate tablets should also receive a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog concurrently or should have had bilateral orchiectomy. Abiraterone acetate tablets must be taken as a single dose once daily on an empty stomach. Do not eat food 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking abiraterone acetate tablets. The tablets must be swallowed whole with water. Do not crush or chew tablets. 2.4 Dose Modification Guidelines in Hepatic Impairment and Hepatotoxicity Hepatic Impairment In patients with baseline moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class B), reduce the recommended dose of abiraterone acetate tablets to 250 mg once daily. In patients with moderate hepatic impairment monitor ALT, AST, and bilirubin prior to the start of treatment, every week for the first month, every two weeks for the following two months of treatment and monthly thereafter. If elevations in ALT and/or AST greater than 5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin greater than 3 x ULN occur in patients with baseline moderate hepatic impairment, discontinue abiraterone acetate tablets and do not re-treat patients with abiraterone acetate tablets [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. Do not use abiraterone acetate tablets in patients with baseline severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C). Hepatotoxicity For patients who develop hepatotoxicity during treatment with abiraterone acetate tablets (ALT and/or AST greater than 5 x ULN or total bilirubin greater than 3 x ULN), interrupt treatment with abiraterone acetate tablets [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. Treatment may be restarted at a reduced dose of 750 mg once daily following return of liver function tests to the patient’s baseline or to AST and ALT less than or equal to 2.5 x ULN and total bilirubin less than or equal to 1.5 x ULN. For patients who resume treatment, monitor serum transaminases and bilirubin at a minimum of every two weeks for three months and monthly thereafter. If hepatotoxicity recurs at the dose of 750 mg once daily, re-treatment may be restarted at a reduced dose of 500 mg once daily following return of liver function tests to the patient’s baseline or to AST and ALT less than or equal to 2.5 x ULN and total bilirubin less than or equal to 1.5 x ULN. If hepatotoxicity recurs at the reduced dose of 500 mg once daily, discontinue treatment with abiraterone acetate tablets. Permanently discontinue abiraterone acetate tablets for patients who develop a concurrent elevation of ALT greater than 3 x ULN and total bilirubin greater than 2 x ULN in the absence of biliary obstruction or other causes responsible for the concurrent elevation [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )]. 2.5 Dose Modification Guidelines for Strong CYP3A4 Inducers Avoid concomitant strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampin, rifabutin, rifapentine, phenobarbital) during abiraterone acetate tablets treatment. If a strong CYP3A4 inducer must be co-administered, increase the abiraterone acetate tablets dosing frequency to twice a day only during the co-administration period (e.g., from 1,000 mg once daily to 1,000 mg twice a day). Reduce the dose back to the previous dose and frequency, if the concomitant strong CYP3A4 inducer is discontinued [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )].

Paediatric

8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of abiraterone acetate in pediatric patients have not been established.

Renal

Usually no change.

  • CrCl 0–120: See renal_dose_adjustment; confirm product SmPC.
Hepatic

Avoid severe HI; hold for hepatotoxicity.

03 Clinical use

Use, effects & interactions

Indications

  • (CRPC) Metastatic high-risk castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC) Abiraterone acetate tablet is a CYP17 inhibitor indicated in combination with prednisone for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
  • ( 1) metastatic high-risk castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC).

Adverse effects

  • labeling: Hypokalemia, Fluid Retention, and Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions due to Mineralocorticoid Excess [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
  • Adrenocortical Insufficiency [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )].
  • Hepatotoxicity [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )].
  • Increased Fractures and Mortality in Combination with Radium Ra 223 Dichloride [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]. ­ The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) are fatigue, arthralgia, hypertension, nausea, edema, hypokalemia, hot flush, diarrhea, vomiting, upper respiratory infection, cough, and headache.
  • ( 6.1 ) The most common laboratory abnormalities (>20%) are anemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase, hypertriglyceridemia, lymphopenia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, and hypokalemia.
  • ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Dr.
  • Reddy’s Laboratories Inc., at 1-888-375-3784 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
  • Two randomized placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trials (COU-AA-301 and COU-AA­302) enrolled patients who had metastatic CRPC in which abiraterone acetate was administered orally at a dose of 1,000 mg daily in combination with prednisone 5 mg twice daily in the active treatment arms.
  • Placebo plus prednisone 5 mg twice daily was given to patients on the control arm.
  • Another randomized placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial (LATITUDE) enrolled patients who had metastatic high-risk CSPC in which abiraterone acetate was administered at a dose of 1,000 mg daily in combination with prednisone 5 mg once daily.
  • Placebos were administered to patients in the control arm.
  • Additionally, two other randomized, placebo-controlled trials were conducted in patients with metastatic CRPC.
  • The safety data pooled from 2,230 patients in the 5 randomized controlled trials constitute the basis for the data presented in the Warnings and Precautions, Grade 1 to 4 adverse reactions, and Grade 1 to 4 laboratory abnormalities.
  • In all trials, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog or prior orchiectomy was required in both arms.
  • Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
  • Document allergy status and key interactions.
04 Pharmacology

Mechanism & disposition

12.

1 Mechanism of Action Abiraterone acetate…This enzyme is expressed in testicular, ad…CYP17 catalyzes two sequential reactions:…
Read complete mechanism

12.1 Mechanism of Action Abiraterone acetate is converted in vivo to abiraterone, an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor, that inhibits 17 α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase (CYP17). This enzyme is expressed in testicular, adrenal, and prostatic tumor tissues and is required for androgen biosynthesis. CYP17 catalyzes two sequential reactions: 1) the conversion of pregnenolone and progesterone to their 17α-hydroxy derivatives by 17α-hydroxylase activity and 2) the subsequent formation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione, respectively, by C17, 20 lyase activity. DHEA and androstenedione are androgens and are precursors of testosterone. Inhibition of CYP17 by abiraterone can also result in increased mineralocorticoid production by the adrenals [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Androgen sensitive prostatic carcinoma responds to treatment that decreases androgen levels. Androgen deprivation therapies, such as treatment with GnRH agonists or orchiectomy, decrease androgen production in the testes but do not affect androgen production by the adrenals or in the tumor. Abiraterone acetate decreased serum testosterone and other androgens in patients in the placebo-controlled clinical trial. It is not necessary to monitor the effect of abiraterone acetate on serum testosterone levels. Changes in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels may be observed but have not been shown to correlate with clinical benefit in individual patients.

Onset

Product-specific

Duration

Product-specific

Route

See product SmPC

Absorption

Following oral administration of abiraterone acetate to patients with metastatic CRPC, the median time to reach maximum plasma abiraterone concentrations is 2 hours. Abiraterone accumulation is observed at steady-state, with a 2-fold higher exposure (steady-state AUC) compared to...

Distribution

Abiraterone is highly bound (>99%) to the human plasma proteins, albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein. The apparent steady-state volume of distribution (mean ± SD) is 19,669 ± 13,358 L.

Metabolism

Following oral administration of 14 C-abiraterone acetate as capsules, abiraterone acetate is hydrolyzed to abiraterone (active metabolite). The conversion is likely through esterase activity (the esterases have not been identified) and is not CYP mediated. The two main circulati...

Elimination

In patients with metastatic CRPC, the mean terminal

Half-life

of abiraterone in plasma (mean ± SD) is 12 ± 5 hours.

05 Special populations

Pregnancy, lactation & diet

Pregnancy

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The safety and efficacy of abiraterone acetate have not been established in females. Based on findings from animal studies and the mechanism of action, abiraterone acetate can cause fetal harm and potential loss of pregnancy. There are no human data on the use of abiraterone acetate in pregnant women. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of abiraterone acetate to pregnant rats during organogenesis caused adverse developmental effects at maternal exposures approximately ≥ 0.03 times the human exposure (AUC) at the recommended dose (see Data). Data Animal Data In an embryo-fetal developmental toxicity study in rats, abiraterone acetate caused developmental toxicity when administered at oral doses of 10, 30 or 100 mg/kg/day throughout the period of organogenesis (gestational days 6 to 17). Findings included embryo-fetal lethality (increased post implantation loss and resorptions and decreased number of live fetuses), fetal developmental delay (skeletal effects) and urogenital effects (bilateral ureter dilation) at doses ≥10 mg/kg/day, decreased fetal ano-genital distance at ≥30 mg/kg/day, and decreased fetal body weight at 100 mg/kg/day. Doses ≥10 mg/kg/day caused maternal toxicity. The doses tested in rats resulted in systemic exposures (AUC) approximately 0.03, 0.1 and 0.3 times, respectively, the AUC in patients.

Lactation

8.2 Lactation Risk Summary The safety and efficacy of abiraterone acetate have not been established in females. There is no information available on the presence of abiraterone in human milk, or on the effects on the breastfed child or milk production.

06 Kenya market

Brands & loaded prices

From
Median
Listings6
BrandManufacturerPackObserved price
Abirapro 500mg Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd Film-Coated Tablet 500mg Unavailable
Abiratred DR. REDDY’S LABORATORIES LIMITED Tablet Unavailable
Abiratred 500mg Dr Reddy's Laboratories Limited Tablet 500mg Unavailable
Arabitro Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd Tablet Abiraterone Acetate 250mg Unavailable
BIRATO 500 FCT MSN LABORATORIES PVT LTD Film-Coated Tablet Unavailable
ZYTIGA® Janssen Cilag International NV Film-Coated Tablet Unavailable
07 Provenance

Sources & review state

Primary sourceLocal active-ingredient clinical extract; FDA drug label via OpenFDA/DailyMed; Batch A alphabetical research (INN; confirm vs SmPC/local guidelines); Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewedNot recorded
EvidenceSource-linked
Open source document ↗

Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.