Why is Yonsa taken with methylprednisolone?
Yonsa (abiraterone acetate) is a medication used to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) - prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to other treatments that lower testosterone.
Yonsa is a CYP17 inhibitor and a type of hormone therapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with oral methylprednisolone, which is a corticosteroid like prednisone, but slightly stronger.
Yonsa is used in combination with methylprednisolone because methylprednisolone helps to prevent some of the side effects caused by Yonsa.
CYP17 inhibitors, such as Yonsa, block androgen biosynthesis and glucocorticoid production. Decreased levels of the key glucocorticoid cortisol increase adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release, which can cause the adrenal glands to increase mineralocorticoid production. Mineralocorticoid excess can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), hypokalemia (low potassium) and fluid retention.
Taking Yonsa in combination with the corticosteroid methylprednisolone can help prevent the hypertension, hypokalemia and fluid retention that can result from treatment with the drug.
References
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Yonsa. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/210308s001lbl.pdf. [Accessed January 02, 2021].
- American Cancer Society. Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer. Available from: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/treating/hormone-therapy.html. [Accessed January 02, 2021].
- Zhu X, Wu S. Risk of hypertension in Cancer patients treated with Abiraterone: a meta-analysis. Clin Hypertens. 2019;25:5. Published 2019 Apr 1. doi:10.1186/s40885-019-0110-3.
- Baloch HM, Grice-Patil ZJ, Selig DJ, Hoang TD, Mai VQ, Shakir MK. Recognition and Treatment of Adrenal Insufficiency Secondary to Abiraterone: A Case Report and Literature Review. Oncology. 2019;97(5):301-305. doi:10.1159/000501640.
Read next
Does methylprednisolone help with COVID?
Use of methylprednisolone for COVID is associated with less short-term mortality (<28 days), less ICU admission and requirement for mechanical ventilation, more ventilator-free days, and no significant increase in the risk of secondary infections. Continue reading
What are steroid injections (cortisone shots)?
Steroid injections (corticosteroid injections/cortisone shots) are injections given by a healthcare professional directly into joints or other areas of the body to relieve symptoms such as pain, inflammation, or restricted movement. They are commonly used to treat shoulder and other joint pain, tendonitis, bursitis, back pain, or arthritis or to manage conditions such as sciatica, inflammatory bowel disease, and skin conditions such as psoriasis. Examples include hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, and methylprednisolone. Continue reading
How long does it take for Yonsa to work?
Yonsa starts working quickly to lower testosterone levels in men with advanced prostate cancer, with averaged absolute testosterone levels falling to at or below 0.1 ng/dl by days 9 and 10 of treatment for 25 percent of men treated with Yonsa in the STAAR study. Continue reading
Related medical questions
- Methylprednisolone vs Prednisone - How do they compare?
- How long does methylprednisolone tablets stay in your system?
- Methylprednisolone Tablets - How long does a Medrol pack tablet stay in your system?
- Is Yonsa a form of chemotherapy?
- What's the difference between Yonsa and Zytiga?
- Why is prednisone prescribed with Zytiga?
- What does abiraterone therapy do?
Drug information
Related support groups
- Methylprednisolone (79 questions, 151 members)
- Yonsa (4 questions, 3 members)
