Drug Interaction Report

Abiraterone may increase the blood levels of palovarotene. This may increase the risk and/or severity of side effects such as dry skin, dry lips, hair loss, skin rash, itching, skin and nail infection, dry eyes, night blindness, depression, and mood changes. Combining abiraterone with palovarotene may also increase the risk of a rare, but potentially serious, condition called pseudotumor cerebri caused by increased pressure in the brain. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to provide alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medicines. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Grapefruit, pomelo, and juices or supplements containing these fruits may increase the blood levels of palovarotene, which may increase the risk and/or severity of side effects such as dry skin, dry lips, hair loss, skin rash, itching, skin and nail infection, dry eyes, night blindness, depression, and mood changes. It may also increase the risk of a rare, but potentially serious, condition called pseudotumor cerebri caused by increased pressure in the brain. Palovarotene should be taken with food at approximately the same time each day. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

This interaction does not apply to abiraterone acetate (Yonsa) 125 mg tablets, which can be taken with or without food.

Taking abiraterone with food increases the amount of medicine that gets absorbed by the body for certain formulations. This may increase the risk of side effects such as high blood pressure, water retention, and a condition called hypokalemia (low blood potassium), which in severe cases can lead to muscle weakness, paralysis, breathing and swallowing difficulties (due to muscle paralysis), and irregular heart rhythm. You should take abiraterone once a day on an empty stomach. No food should be eaten for at least two hours before and one hour after taking abiraterone. Let your doctor know if you experience nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal cramping, confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, numbness or tingling, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, and/or swelling in the legs or feet, as these may be symptoms of hypokalemia or excessive effects of abiraterone. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.