Brand names: Zytiga, Yonsa
Drug class: Antineoplastic Agents
Chemical name: (3β)-17-(3-Pyridinyl)-16-dien-3-ol-androsta-5 acetate(ester)
Molecular formula: C₂₆H₃₃NO₂
CAS number: 154229-18-2

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Oct 24, 2022. Written by ASHP.

Introduction

Antineoplastic agent; inhibitor of 17α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase (CYP17).^{1 5 6 10 13}

Uses for Abiraterone

Prostate Cancer

Conventional abiraterone: In combination with prednisone for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.^{1 4 18 20 21 22 25}

Micronized abiraterone: In combination with methylprednisolone for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.^{28 30} Efficacy determined based on studies evaluating conventional abiraterone.^{28 30}

Conventional abiraterone: In combination with prednisone for the treatment of high-risk metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer.^{1 23 24} Guidelines recommend androgen deprivation therapy combined with abiraterone, apalutamide, enzalutamide, or docetaxel for the treatment of metastatic noncastrate (hormone-sensitive) prostate cancer.³³

Abiraterone Dosage and Administration

General

Pretreatment Screening

• Obtain baseline serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin concentrations.^{1 28}

• Assess BP prior to initiation of abiraterone; BP must be controlled prior to initiation of the drug.^{1 28}

• Assess serum potassium concentration; correct hypokalemia prior to initiation of the drug.^{1 28}

Patient Monitoring

• Monitor serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin concentrations every 2 weeks for the first 3 months of therapy and monthly thereafter; in patients with preexisting moderate hepatic impairment, monitor serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin concentrations every week for the first month of therapy, every 2 weeks for the following 2 months of therapy, and then monthly thereafter.^{1 28}

• In patients who develop hepatotoxicity during abiraterone therapy and resume treatment with the drug, serum ALT, AST, and bilirubin concentrations should be monitored at a minimum of every 2 weeks for the first 3 months and then monthly thereafter.^{1 28}

• Monitor BP, serum potassium concentration, and fluid status monthly.^{1 28} More frequent monitoring may be necessary in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease or other cardiac-related comorbidities.^{1 28}

• Monitor for signs and symptoms of adrenocortical insufficiency.^{1 28}

• Monitor blood glucose concentrations in patients with diabetes mellitus.^{1 28}

Dispensing and Administration Precautions

• Abiraterone acetate is commercially available as conventional tablets (Zytiga) and micronized tablets (Yonsa); these formulations are not interchangeable due to differences in dosage, indication, and food effects.^{1 28}

Handling and Disposal

• Females who are or may be pregnant should not handle abiraterone acetate tablets without protection (e.g., gloves).^{1 28}

Other General Considerations

• Use concurrently with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog unless the patient has undergone bilateral orchiectomy.^{1 28}

Administration

Oral Administration

Conventional abiraterone: Administer orally once daily on an empty stomach; consume no food for at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after a dose.^{1 18}

Micronized abiraterone: Administer orally once daily with or without food.²⁸

Administer tablets whole with water; do not chew or crush.^{1 28}

Dosage

Available as abiraterone acetate; dosage expressed in terms of the salt.^{1 28}

Conventional and micronized formulations are not interchangeable.²⁸

Adults

Prostate Cancer

Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer

Oral (Conventional Abiraterone)

1 g once daily in combination with prednisone 5 mg orally twice daily.¹

Avoid concomitant use of potent CYP3A4 inducers; if concomitant use cannot be avoided, increase dosing frequency of abiraterone acetate from once daily to twice daily (e.g., from 1 g once daily to 1 g twice daily).¹

Oral (Micronized Abiraterone)

500 mg once daily in combination with methylprednisolone 4 mg orally twice daily.²⁸

Avoid concomitant use of potent CYP3A4 inducers; if concomitant use cannot be avoided, increase dosing frequency of abiraterone acetate from once daily to twice daily (e.g., from 500 mg once daily to 500 mg twice daily).²⁸

Metastatic Castration-sensitive Prostate Cancer

Oral (Conventional Abiraterone)

1 g once daily in combination with prednisone 5 mg orally once daily.¹

Avoid concomitant use of potent CYP3A4 inducers; if concomitant use cannot be avoided, increase dosing frequency of abiraterone acetate from once daily to twice daily (e.g., from 1 g once daily to 1 g twice daily).¹

Dosage Modification for Toxicity

Hepatic Toxicity

For ALT and/or AST elevations >5 times ULN or total bilirubin elevations >3 times ULN, interrupt dosing until liver function test results return to baseline or until ALT and AST return to ≤2.5 times ULN and total bilirubin returns to ≤1.5 times ULN, and then resume at a reduced dosage of 750 mg once daily (conventional abiraterone) or 375 mg once daily (micronized abiraterone).^{1 28}

If hepatic toxicity recurs on dosage of 750 mg once daily (conventional abiraterone) or 375 mg once daily (micronized abiraterone), interrupt dosing until liver function test results return to baseline or until ALT and AST return to ≤2.5 times ULN and total bilirubin returns to ≤1.5 times ULN, and then resume at a reduced dosage of 500 mg once daily (conventional abiraterone) or 250 mg once daily (micronized abiraterone).^{1 28}

If hepatic toxicity recurs on dosage of 500 mg once daily (conventional abiraterone) or 250 mg once daily (micronized abiraterone), discontinue abiraterone.^{1 28}

In patients reinitiating therapy, measure serum aminotransferases and bilirubin at least every 2 weeks for 3 months and then monthly thereafter.^{1 28}

For ALT elevations >3 times ULN with total bilirubin elevations >2 times ULN in the absence of biliary obstruction or other causes, permanently discontinue abiraterone.^{1 28}

Special Populations

Hepatic Impairment

Mild preexisting hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class A): No dosage adjustment required.^{1 28}

Moderate preexisting hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B): 250 mg once daily (conventional abiraterone) or 125 mg once daily (micronized abiraterone).^{1 28} Monitor serum aminotransferases and bilirubin at baseline, every week for the first month of therapy, every 2 weeks during the second and third months, and then monthly thereafter.^{1 28} If elevations in ALT and/or AST to >5 times ULN or in total bilirubin to >3 times ULN occur, permanently discontinue abiraterone.^{1 28}

Severe preexisting hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C): Use not recommended.^{1 28}

Renal Impairment

No dosage adjustment required.^{1 28}

Geriatric Patients

No specific dosage recommendations.^{1 28}

Related/similar drugs

estradiol, Premarin, Xtandi, Zytiga, Casodex, Lynparza

Cautions for Abiraterone

Contraindications

• No known contraindications.^{1 28}

Warnings/Precautions

Excessive Mineralocorticoid Activity

Mineralocorticoid excess occurs secondary to CYP17 blockade by abiraterone; commonly manifested as hypertension, hypokalemia, and fluid retention.^{1 9 10 12 14 28} Concomitant glucocorticoid administration may reduce severity and incidence of these adverse effects.^{5 7 8 9 10 12 14 28}

Monitor at least monthly for hypertension, hypokalemia, and fluid retention.^{1 28} Control BP and correct hypokalemia before and during treatment.^{1 28}

Closely monitor patients with a history of cardiovascular disease or underlying medical condition that might be compromised by increased BP, hypokalemia, or fluid retention (e.g., heart failure, recent MI, ventricular arrhythmia).^{1 28}

Safety not established in patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <50% or NYHA class II–IV heart failure.^{1 28}

Adrenocortical Insufficiency

Adrenocortical insufficiency reported following interruption of daily corticosteroid regimen and/or during periods of infection or stress.^{1 28}

Use with caution and monitor for manifestations of adrenocortical insufficiency, especially following corticosteroid dosage reduction or discontinuance or when patient is subjected to unusual stress.^{1 28} Consider possible need for increased corticosteroid dosage before, during, and after stressful situations.^{1 28}

Symptoms of mineralocorticoid excess may mask manifestations of adrenocortical insufficiency; perform appropriate tests to confirm diagnosis of adrenocortical insufficiency if clinically indicated.^{1 28}

Hepatic Toxicity

ALT or AST elevations of >5 times ULN reported in 6% of patients, generally during the initial 3 months of therapy.^{1 28} No fatalities reported in the principal efficacy studies.^{1 28} Fulminant hepatitis, acute liver failure, and death reported in postmarketing experience.^{1 28}

Elevations in liver function test results reported more frequently in patients with preexisting ALT or AST elevations than in patients with normal baseline values.^{1 28}

Monitor serum aminotransferase and bilirubin concentrations at baseline, every 2 weeks for the first 3 months of therapy, and then monthly thereafter.^{1 28} In patients with moderate preexisting hepatic impairment, monitor serum aminotransferase and bilirubin concentrations at baseline, every week for the first month of therapy, every 2 weeks during the second and third months, and then monthly thereafter.^{1 28}

More frequent monitoring is indicated if aminotransferase or bilirubin concentrations rise above pretreatment levels.^{1 28} Evaluate liver function tests promptly if manifestations suggestive of hepatotoxicity develop.^{1 28}

Treatment-related Mortality and Fractures

Increased mortality and fractures reported in patients with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic castration-resistant prostate cancer metastatic to bone receiving abiraterone in combination with prednisone (or prednisolone) and radium Ra 223 dichloride; abiraterone is not currently FDA-labeled for use in combination with a corticosteroid and radium Ra 223 dichloride.^{1 28}

In a clinical trial, fractures (28.6 versus 11.4%) and death (38.5 versus 35.5%) occurred more frequently in patients receiving abiraterone in combination with prednisone (or prednisolone) and radium Ra 223 dichloride compared with those receiving abiraterone in combination with prednisone (or prednisolone).^{1 28} Treatment groups were unblinded based on recommendations of an independent data monitoring board.^{1 28}

Patients should not receive conventional abiraterone in combination with prednisone (or prednisolone) and radium Ra 223 dichloride or micronized abiraterone in combination with methylprednisolone and radium Ra 223 dichloride outside of a clinical trial.^{1 28}

Fetal/Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality

May cause fetal harm and potential loss of pregnancy.^{1 28} Safety and efficacy not established in females.^{1 28} If used during pregnancy or if patient becomes pregnant, apprise of potential fetal hazard and potential risk for loss of pregnancy.^{1 28}

Females who are or may be pregnant should not handle abiraterone acetate tablets without protection (e.g., gloves).^{1 28}

Males with female partners of reproductive potential should use effective methods of contraception during therapy and for 3 weeks following discontinuance of the drug.^{1 28}

Infertility

Based on animal studies, abiraterone may impair male fertility.^{1 28}

Hypoglycemia

May cause severe hypoglycemia in patients with preexisting diabetes mellitus receiving repaglinide or thiazolidinedione-containing medications (e.g., pioglitazone).^{1 28}

Monitor blood glucose concentrations in patients with diabetes mellitus during and after discontinuance of abiraterone therapy.^{1 28} Adjust antihyperglycemic drug therapy as indicated to decrease risk of hypoglycemia.^{1 28}

Specific Populations

Pregnancy

May cause fetal harm and potential loss of pregnancy.^{1 28}

Lactation

Not known whether distributed into milk, affects milk production, or affects breast-fed infants; safety and efficacy not established in females.^{1 28}

Pediatric Use

Safety and efficacy not established.^{1 28}

Geriatric Use

No overall differences in safety and efficacy relative to younger adults, but increased sensitivity cannot be ruled out.^{1 27 28}

Hepatic Impairment

Systemic exposure may be increased and clearance may be decreased.^{1 28}

Dosage adjustment and careful monitoring of hepatic function required in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B).^{1 28}

Not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C).^{1 28}

Renal Impairment

Pharmacokinetics not altered by end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis.^{1 28} No dosage adjustment necessary.^{1 28}

Common Adverse Effects

Conventional abiraterone in combination with prednisone (twice daily) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (≥10%): Fatigue,¹ joint swelling or discomfort,¹ edema,^{1 4} muscle discomfort,¹ constipation,¹ diarrhea,¹ hot flush,¹ hypertension,^{1 4} cough,¹ insomnia,¹ contusion,¹ upper respiratory tract infection,¹ urinary tract infection,¹ dyspnea,¹ dyspepsia,¹ nasopharyngitis,¹ hematuria.¹

Laboratory abnormalities reported in ≥20% of patients receiving abiraterone acetate (conventional) in combination with prednisone (twice daily) and at an incidence ≥2% higher than that reported with placebo in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: Hypertriglyceridemia,¹ hyperglycemia,¹ elevated concentrations of aminotransferases (i.e., ALT, AST),¹ lymphopenia,¹ hypernatremia,¹ hypokalemia,¹ hypophosphatemia.¹

Adverse effects reported in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who received micronized abiraterone acetate were generally similar to adverse effects reported in those who received conventional abiraterone acetate.^{29 30}

Conventional abiraterone in combination with prednisone (once daily) in patients with high-risk metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (≥10%): Hypertension,¹ hypokalemia,¹ lymphopenia,¹ elevated ALT and/or AST concentrations,¹ hot flush.¹

Drug Interactions

Abiraterone is a potential inhibitor of CYP isoenzymes 1A2, 2D6, and 2C8 and, to a lesser extent, CYP isoenzymes 2C9, 2C19, and 3A4/5.^{1 28} Abiraterone is a substrate of CYP3A4 in vitro.^{1 28}

Neither abiraterone acetate nor abiraterone is a substrate of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in vitro at clinically relevant concentrations; abiraterone acetate inhibits P-gp.^{1 28}

In vitro, abiraterone and its major metabolites are inhibitors of organic anion transport protein (OATP) 1B1.^{1 28}

Drugs Affecting Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes

Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors: No clinically meaningful effect on systemic exposure of abiraterone.^{1 28}

Potent CYP3A4 inducers: Possible decreased serum concentrations of abiraterone.^{1 18 28} Avoid concomitant use; if concomitant use cannot be avoided, increase dosing frequency of abiraterone from once daily to twice daily (e.g., from 1 g once daily to 1 g twice daily [conventional tablets]; from 500 mg once daily to 500 mg twice daily [micronized tablets]).^{1 28} If potent CYP3A4 inducer is discontinued, resume prior dose and frequency of abiraterone.^{1 28}

Drugs Metabolized by Hepatic Microsomal Enzymes

Substrates of CYP2D6: Possible increased serum concentrations of CYP2D6 substrate drug and possible toxicity.^{1 18 28} Avoid concomitant use of abiraterone and CYP2D6 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index.^{1 15 28} If concomitant use cannot be avoided, consider dosage reduction of the CYP2D6 substrate drug and use with caution.^{1 15 28}

Substrates of CYP2C8: Possible increased serum concentrations of CYP2C8 substrate drug and possible toxicity.¹ If concomitant use of abiraterone and CYP2C8 substrates with a narrow therapeutic index is necessary, closely monitor for signs of toxicity of the CYP2C8 substrate drug.¹ (See Specific Drugs under Interactions.)

Substrates of CYP1A2: Pharmacokinetic interaction not observed to date.¹

Specific Drugs

Abiraterone Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

Bioavailability

Systemic exposure is dose proportional over a dose range of 250 mg to 1 g (conventional abiraterone) and 125 mg to 625 mg (micronized abiraterone);^{1 28 35} however, systemic exposure does not substantially increase when dose is doubled from 1 g to 2 g (conventional abiraterone).¹

Abiraterone acetate is a prodrug that is converted in vivo to abiraterone; peak plasma abiraterone concentrations are attained about 2 hours after abiraterone acetate dose.^{1 5 13 28 35}

Food

Food increases systemic exposure.^{1 8 13 28}

Oral administration of a single 1-g dose of abiraterone acetate (conventional) with a low-fat or high-fat meal increases abiraterone AUC by approximately fivefold or tenfold, respectively, and increases peak plasma concentrations by approximately sevenfold or 17-fold, respectively.¹

When a single dose of abiraterone acetate (conventional) is administered 2 hours after or 1 hour before a medium-fat meal, abiraterone AUC increases by approximately sevenfold or 1.6-fold, respectively.¹

Systemic exposure is similar following administration of abiraterone acetate (conventional) for 7 days with a low-fat meal or ≥2 hours after or 1 hour before a meal, but increases approximately twofold when administered with a high-fat meal.¹

Oral administration of a single 500-mg dose of abiraterone acetate (micronized) with a high-fat meal increases abiraterone AUC and peak plasma concentrations by approximately 4.4-fold and 6.5-fold, respectively.²⁸

Special Populations

In patients with mild (Child-Pugh class A) or moderate (Child-Pugh class B) hepatic impairment, AUC is increased 1.1- or 3.6-fold, respectively, compared with individuals with normal hepatic function.^{1 28}

In patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C), AUC is increased approximately sevenfold and free fraction of the drug is increased twofold compared with individuals with normal hepatic function.^{1 28}

Distribution

Plasma Protein Binding

>99% (mainly albumin and α₁-acid glycoprotein).^{1 28}

Special Populations

In patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class C), plasma protein binding of drug is decreased.^{1 28}

Elimination

Metabolism

Abiraterone acetate is hydrolyzed to abiraterone (active metabolite), most likely by esterases in non-CYP-dependent pathways.^{1 28} Further metabolized to 2 inactive sulfate conjugates, abiraterone sulfate (formed by SULT2A1, a sulfotransferase that catalyzes sulfate conjugation of dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA] and other steroids) and N-oxide abiraterone sulfate (formed by CYP3A4 and SULT2A1).^{1 19 28}

Elimination Route

Excreted in feces (88%), mainly as abiraterone acetate (55%) and abiraterone (22%), and in urine (5%).^{1 28}

Half-life

Approximately 12 hours.^{1 28}

Special Populations

Mean half-life in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment is approximately 18 hours or 19 hours, respectively.^{1 28}

In patients with end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis, pharmacokinetic parameters were similar to those in individuals with normal renal function.^{1 28}

Stability

Storage

Oral

Tablets (conventional)

20–25°C (excursions permitted to 15–30°C).¹

Tablets (micronized)

20–25°C (excursions permitted to 15–30°C).²⁸

Actions

• Abiraterone acetate is a prodrug of abiraterone, a potent, selective, and irreversible inhibitor of 17α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase (CYP17), an enzyme expressed in adrenal glands, testes, and prostate tumor.^{1 5 6 10 12 13} CYP17 inhibition results in suppression of androgen production.^{10 12}

• 17α-Hydroxylase catalyzes conversion of pregnenolone and progesterone to their 17α-hydroxy derivatives; C17,20-lyase catalyzes conversion of these 17α-hydroxy derivatives to DHEA and androstenedione, respectively.^{1 6 10 12} DHEA and androstenedione are androgenic precursors of testosterone.^{1 6 10 12}

• Abiraterone is tenfold to 30-fold more potent than ketoconazole (a nonspecific CYP inhibitor and weak inhibitor of CYP17) in its inhibition of CYP17.^{5 9}

• CYP17 inhibition can result in increased mineralocorticoid synthesis.³

Advice to Patients

• Importance of informing patients that abiraterone acetate is available in different tablet formulations that are not interchangeable.^{1 28}

• Importance of taking the corticosteroid as directed to minimize adverse effects of abiraterone.^{1 28} If a dose of abiraterone or the corticosteroid is missed, take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time; importance of advising clinician if more than one daily dose of abiraterone is missed.^{1 28}

• For patients currently receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist therapy, importance of continuing this therapy during abiraterone therapy.^{1 28}

• Risk of increased abiraterone exposure and adverse effects if the conventional formulation is taken with food.¹ Importance of consuming no food for at least 2 hours before or 1 hour after a dose of the conventional formulation.¹

• Importance of swallowing abiraterone acetate conventional or micronized tablets whole with water; do not crush or chew the tablets.^{1 28}

• Risk of peripheral edema, hypertension, and hypokalemia (with potential to cause QT-interval prolongation or torsades de pointes).^{1 28} Importance of patients informing their clinician if dizziness, palpitations, tachycardia, feelings of faintness or lightheadedness, headache, confusion, leg pain, muscle weakness, or peripheral edema occurs.^{1 28}

• Risk of adrenocortical insufficiency.^{1 28} Importance of patients informing their clinician if symptoms of adrenocortical insufficiency occur.^{1 28}

• Risk of severe hepatotoxicity and importance of liver function test monitoring.^{1 28} Importance of patients immediately informing their clinician if jaundice, dark urine, or severe nausea or vomiting occurs.^{1 28}

• Increased risk of treatment-related mortality and fractures in patients receiving abiraterone acetate in combination with a corticosteroids and radium Ra 223 dichloride.^{1 28} Use of abiraterone acetate in combination with a corticosteroid and radium Ra 223 dichloride is not recommended outside of a clinical trial.^{1 28}

• Risk of severe hypoglycemia in patients with diabetes mellitus receiving concomitant abiraterone acetate and repaglinide or thiazolidinedione-containing medications.^{1 28} Importance of monitoring blood glucose concentrations and adjusting antihyperglycemic agents as necessary.^{1 28}

• Importance of advising patients that abiraterone may cause fetal harm and potential loss of pregnancy; it is not known whether the drug distributes into semen.^{1 28} Necessity of advising men to use an effective contraceptive method during sexual encounters with women of reproductive potential; these contraceptive measures are required during and for 3 weeks after discontinuance of abiraterone therapy.^{1 28} Importance of advising patients that women who are or may become pregnant should not handle abiraterone acetate tablets without protection (e.g., gloves).^{1 28}

• Importance of informing clinicians of existing or contemplated concomitant therapy, including prescription and OTC drugs and herbal supplements, as well as any concomitant illnesses.^{1 28}

• Importance of informing patients of other important precautionary information.^{1 28} (See Cautions.)

Preparations

Excipients in commercially available drug preparations may have clinically important effects in some individuals; consult specific product labeling for details.

Please refer to the ASHP Drug Shortages Resource Center for information on shortages of one or more of these preparations.

* available from one or more manufacturer, distributor, and/or repackager by generic (nonproprietary) name

Frequently asked questions

• Why is prednisone prescribed with Zytiga?
• What does abiraterone therapy do?

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