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Medications for Prostate Cancer

Other names: Cancer, Prostate; Carcinoma of Prostate

Medications for prostate cancer include hormonal treatments such as leuprolide and goserelin; chemotherapy for advanced prostate cancer such as docetaxel, and cabazitaxel; immunotherapy, such as the cancer vaccine sipuleucel-T; or immune checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab and dostarlimab; targeted treatments, such as PARP inhibitors, for example, rucaparib and olaparib; and treatments for when prostate cancer has spread to the bones, such as bisphosphonates and corticosteroids.

Summary

Medications for prostate cancer include hormone therapy such as leuprolide (Lupron Depot, Eligard), leuprolide mesylate (Camcevi), goserelin (Zoladex), and triptorelin (Trelstar); degarelix (Firmagon) and relugolix (Orgovyx); abiraterone (Yonsa, Zytiga) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); flutamide (Eulexin), bicalutamide (Casodex), or nilutamide (Nilandron); enzalutamide (Xtandi), apalutamide (Erleada), or darolutamide (Nubeqa); chemotherapy for advanced prostate cancer such as docetaxel (Taxotere), cabazitaxel (Jevtana) mitoxantrone (Novantrone), estramustine (Emcyt), or carboplatin (Paraplatin); immunotherapy, such as the cancer vaccine sipuleucel-T (Provenge) or immune checkpoint inhibitors such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and dostarlimab (Jemperli); targeted treatments, such as PARP inhibitors, for example, rucaparib (Rubraca), olaparib (Lynparza), talazoparib (Talzenna), or niraparib plus abiraterone (Akeega); and treatments for when prostate cancer has spread to the bones, such as bisphosphonates and corticosteroids.

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Drugs used to treat Prostate Cancer

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
bicalutamide 8.2 12 reviews for bicalutamide to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
bicalutamide systemic
Brand name:
Casodex
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, antiandrogens
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Lupron Depot 6.0 32 reviews for Lupron Depot to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
leuprolide systemic
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, gonadotropin releasing hormones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Casodex 7.8 7 reviews for Casodex to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
bicalutamide systemic
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, antiandrogens
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
leuprolide 5.7 118 reviews for leuprolide to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
leuprolide systemic
Brand names:
Lupron Depot, Eligard, Camcevi
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, gonadotropin releasing hormones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Xtandi 5.2 19 reviews for Xtandi to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
enzalutamide systemic
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, antiandrogens
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Zytiga 8.4 41 reviews for Zytiga to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
abiraterone systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antineoplastics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Erleada 7.4 17 reviews for Erleada to treat Prostate Cancer Rx N
Generic name:
apalutamide systemic
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, antiandrogens
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Eligard 4.4 38 reviews for Eligard to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
leuprolide systemic
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, gonadotropin releasing hormones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
apalutamide 8.0 25 reviews for apalutamide to treat Prostate Cancer Rx N
Generic name:
apalutamide systemic
Brand name:
Erleada
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, antiandrogens
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
abiraterone 8.1 44 reviews for abiraterone to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
abiraterone systemic
Brand names:
Zytiga, Yonsa
Drug class:
miscellaneous antineoplastics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Zoladex 6.9 15 reviews for Zoladex to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
goserelin systemic
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, gonadotropin releasing hormones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Firmagon 9.0 9 reviews for Firmagon to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
degarelix systemic
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Orgovyx 7.8 19 reviews for Orgovyx to treat Prostate Cancer Rx N
Generic name:
relugolix systemic
Drug class:
gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
enzalutamide 5.6 21 reviews for enzalutamide to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
enzalutamide systemic
Brand name:
Xtandi
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, antiandrogens
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
degarelix 8.8 13 reviews for degarelix to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
degarelix systemic
Brand name:
Firmagon
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Provenge 6.3 6 reviews for Provenge to treat Prostate Cancer Rx N N
Generic name:
sipuleucel-T systemic
Drug class:
therapeutic vaccines
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Taxotere Rate Add review Rx D N
Generic name:
docetaxel systemic
Drug class:
mitotic inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
docetaxel Rate Add review Rx D N
Generic name:
docetaxel systemic
Brand name:
Taxotere
Drug class:
mitotic inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
estradiol 9.0 1 review for estradiol to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
estradiol systemic
Brand names:
Delestrogen, Estrace, Estradiol Patch
Drug class:
estrogens
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Trelstar 5.8 5 reviews for Trelstar to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
triptorelin systemic
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, gonadotropin releasing hormones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Delestrogen Rate Add review Rx X N
Generic name:
estradiol systemic
Drug class:
estrogens
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Estrace Rate Add review Rx X N
Generic name:
estradiol systemic
Drug class:
estrogens
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Estradiol Patch 9.0 1 review for Estradiol Patch to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
estradiol systemic
Drug class:
estrogens
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
goserelin 6.7 17 reviews for goserelin to treat Prostate Cancer Rx X N
Generic name:
goserelin systemic
Brand names:
Zoladex, Zoladex 3-Month
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, gonadotropin releasing hormones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Nubeqa 10 1 review for Nubeqa to treat Prostate Cancer Rx N
Generic name:
darolutamide systemic
Drug class:
hormones/antineoplastics, antiandrogens
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Alternative treatments for Prostate Cancer

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Prostate Cancer. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Prostate Cancer.

Learn more about Prostate Cancer

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

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