Abiraterone (Abirakast) 250 mg, 120 tablets: profile, composition and research
Reference page for Abiraterone (Abirakast) 250 mg, 120 tablets. Active substance: Абиратерона ацетат / Abiraterone acetate.
- What it is: abiraterone acetate, a targeted medicine that suppresses androgen synthesis.
- Presentation: 250 mg tablets, 120 tablets per pack.
- Status: prescription-only medicine.
- Research: large randomised work in prostate cancer, links below.
- Where to buy: APV Pharmacy (price and availability there).
Key facts
| Active substance | Abiraterone acetate |
|---|---|
| Form | Tablets |
| Strength | 250 mg per tablet |
| Pack size | 120 tablets |
| Category | Prescription medicine |
| Article (SKU) | 00014 |
What abiraterone acetate is
Abiraterone acetate is an oral antineoplastic medicine that acts on the hormonal system. It belongs to the targeted agents: its target is a specific enzyme involved in the production of male sex hormones.
The substance is supplied as 250 mg tablets. A pack contains 120 tablets. The medicine is usually considered together with low-dose glucocorticoid, as stated in the manufacturer's information.
One of the international approaches to this treatment was approved in 2011. Since then abiraterone has been studied in several large randomised trials across different stages of prostate cancer.
How abiraterone suppresses androgen synthesis
The enzyme CYP17A1
Male sex hormones are formed in several steps, and one of the key enzymes in that chain is CYP17A1. It works in the testes, in the adrenal cortex and also within the prostate tumour cells themselves.
Blocking the enzyme
Abiraterone binds CYP17A1 and halts the conversions that lead to androgens. As a result the formation of testosterone and its precursors falls, including those produced outside the testes, which is how its action in a hormone-dependent tumour is explained.
Why a glucocorticoid is added
When CYP17A1 is suppressed the body raises its output of pituitary hormones, which can partly offset the effect. Giving a glucocorticoid at the same time helps keep this mechanism under control; the decision is a doctor's.
Approved areas of use
The prescribing information names metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, when the disease progresses despite earlier treatment. The hormone-sensitive form with metastases is mentioned separately.
The medicine is taken by mouth as tablets. The manufacturer's information gives a daily dose of 1000 mg, which is the amount a patient receives on a doctor's instruction rather than a self-chosen regimen.
Treatment with anti-androgen agents is accompanied by checks of blood pressure, liver values and potassium level. A doctor orders these tests and decides whether the medicine is appropriate in a given case.
What the research shows
The COU-AA-301 study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (2011), showed improved survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant disease who received abiraterone after chemotherapy.
The final analysis of the same programme in Lancet Oncology (2012) confirmed the overall-survival results. Another paper in Lancet Oncology (2015) concerned patients without prior chemotherapy, the COU-AA-302 study.
Later, in the New England Journal of Medicine (2017), data appeared on abiraterone with prednisone in hormone-sensitive metastatic disease. All these studies concern prescribing by a doctor; some patients tolerated the treatment less well, so regular monitoring is needed.
Published research
Primary sources, verified against PubMed:
- Abiraterone and increased survival in metastatic prostate cancer., PubMed 21612468 (N Engl J Med, 2011).
- Abiraterone acetate for treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: final overall survival analysis of the COU-AA-301 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study., PubMed 22995653 (Lancet Oncol, 2012).
- Abiraterone acetate plus prednisone versus placebo plus prednisone in chemotherapy-naive men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (COU-AA-302): final overall survival analysis of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study., PubMed 25601341 (Lancet Oncol, 2015).
- Abiraterone plus Prednisone in Metastatic, Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer., PubMed 28578607 (N Engl J Med, 2017).
Listed for reference. Publication of a study is not a claim about this particular product.
Precautions
- This is a prescription medicine. Prescribing, dosing and monitoring belong to an oncologist.
- Treatment is given together with a glucocorticoid on a doctor's instruction; stopping or changing it on one's own is not acceptable.
- Rises in blood pressure, swelling and lowered potassium are possible. These values are checked during treatment.
- The medicine affects the liver, so regular blood tests are run. With significant changes a doctor reviews the treatment.
- Abiraterone is not intended for use in women. Men are advised to use contraception during therapy and for several months afterwards.
- Tell your doctor about every medicine you take and about any cardiovascular or endocrine conditions.
Frequently asked
Is Abirakast a prescription medicine?
Yes. It is a prescription antineoplastic medicine and is not intended for self-medication.
Why does this page not give a dosing schedule?
The dose and the length of the course are set by an oncologist with the test results and the patient's condition in mind. A reference page does not prescribe treatment.
Is abiraterone taken together with other medicines?
As a rule treatment is combined with a glucocorticoid on a doctor's instruction and accompanied by checks of blood tests and blood pressure.
Where does the order ship from?
Shipping and customs handling are described on the APV Pharmacy delivery page.