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Niraparib and abiraterone (Oral)

Generic name: niraparib and abiraterone [ nye-RAP-a-rib, a-bir-A-ter-one-AS-e-tate ]
Brand name: Akeega
Drug class: Antineoplastic combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 20, 2024.

Uses for niraparib and abiraterone

Note: Women of childbearing potential should not use or handle niraparib and abiraterone tablets without protection (eg, gloves).

Niraparib and abiraterone combination is used in combination with prednisone to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (prostate cancer that is resistant to medical or surgical treatments that lower testosterone and has spread to other parts of the body) with a deleterious or suspected deleterious BRCA mutation gene. Your doctor will use a test to check for this mutation before you receive the medicine.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before using niraparib and abiraterone

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of niraparib and abiraterone combination in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of niraparib and abiraterone combination in the elderly.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Proper use of niraparib and abiraterone

Medicines used to treat cancer are very strong and can have many side effects. Before receiving this medicine, make sure you understand all the risks and benefits. It is important for you to work closely with your doctor during your treatment.

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You should also receive a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog treatment or have had a surgery to lower testosterone in your body (surgical castration) during treatment with this medicine.

Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Do not eat food 2 hours before or 1 hour after taking this medicine.

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Detailed Abiraterone / niraparib dosage information

Precautions while using niraparib and abiraterone

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should not handle or touch the tablets without protection (eg, gloves). This medicine may cause birth defects if a man is using it when his partner becomes pregnant. Use a condom plus another form of birth control during treatment with this medicine and for at least 4 months after the last dose. Tell your doctor right away if a pregnancy occurs while you are using this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you have bone pain, blood in the urine or stools, fever or chills, cough, sore throat, trouble breathing, unusual bleeding or bruising, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of a bone marrow problem called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

This medicine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, which may increase the chance of getting an infection. It can also lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. If this occurs, there are certain precautions you can take, especially when your blood count is low, to reduce the risk of infection or bleeding:

This medicine may cause hypokalemia. Check with your doctor right away if you have decreased urine, dry mouth, irregular heartbeat, increased thirst, loss of appetite, mood changes, muscle pain or cramps, nausea or vomiting, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, seizures, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have decrease in amount of urine, swelling of the fingers, hands, feet, or lower legs, trouble breathing, or weight gain. These may be symptoms of fluid retention.

This medicine may cause heart rhythm problems (eg, QT prolongation and torsades de pointes). Check with your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort, irregular or slow heart rate, fainting, or trouble breathing.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Do not interrupt or stop using this medicine together with prednisone without first asking your doctor. This medicine may cause adrenal gland problem. Check with your doctor right away if you have darkening of the skin, diarrhea, dizziness, fainting, loss of appetite, mental depression, nausea, skin rash, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting.

This medicine may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), especially if you have diabetes and take certain medicines for diabetes. Check with your doctor right away if you have anxiety, blurred vision, chills, cold sweats, coma, confusion, cool, pale skin, depression, dizziness, fast heartbeat, headache, increased hunger, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, seizures, shakiness, slurred speech, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone may increase your risk for bone fractures and death when used together with radium Ra 223 dichloride (radiation treatment). You should not receive treatment with radium Ra 223 dichloride for at least 5 days after your last dose of Akeega™ with prednisone. Tell your doctor if you are having any other treatment for your prostate cancer.

This medicine may increase your chance of having a brain condition, called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Check with your doctor right away if you start having chest pain, sudden and severe headaches, fainting spells, seizures, unusual drowsiness, confusion, or problems with vision, speech, or walking while you are receiving this medicine.

If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. Some men using this medicine have become infertile (unable to have children).

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of niraparib and abiraterone

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Less common

Incidence not known

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Less common

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Abiraterone / niraparib side effects (more detail)

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Available Dosage Forms:

Therapeutic Class: Antineoplastic Agent

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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