Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride) is a brand-name drug prescribed to treat certain types of advanced prostate cancer in adults. Xofigo comes as an intravenous (IV) injection that’s given by a healthcare professional. The dosage can vary depending on a person’s weight.

Xofigo is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat prostate cancer that:

  • has spread to the bones, causing symptoms such as bone pain, but has not affected other parts of the body
  • is no longer responsive to hormonal or surgical treatment

Xofigo belongs to a drug class called radiopharmaceuticals. Xofigo is not available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Xofigo, including its strength and how the medication is given. For a comprehensive look at Xofigo, see this article.

Note: This article describes the typical dosage for Xofigo provided by the drug’s manufacturer. However, your doctor will prescribe the Xofigo dosage that’s right for you.

Read below for the recommended dosage of Xofigo and other details about the drug.

Xofigo form

Xofigo comes as a solution that’s given as an IV injection. It’s given by a healthcare professional at a qualified treatment facility where healthcare professionals or technicians are trained to administer Xofigo.

Xofigo strength

Xofigo comes in a concentration of 1,100 kilobecquerel (kBq) in each milliliter (mL) of solution at the reference date.*

* kBq is a measurement unit of radioactivity. The reference date refers to the date and time this measurement was taken. The radioactivity of Xofigo decreases over time. Your doctor will take this into account when calculating the total volume of your dose.

Typical dosages

The following information describes the dosage that is commonly prescribed to or recommended for adults. However, be sure to follow the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for prostate cancer

Doctors may prescribe Xofigo to treat certain types of advanced prostate cancer.

If your doctor prescribes Xofigo for advanced prostate cancer, your dose will likely be 55 kBq per kilogram (kg) of body weight. For reference, 1 kg equals about 2.2 pounds (lb). Typically, you’ll receive this every 4 weeks for six injections. This is the typical recommended dosage of Xofigo for people with advanced prostate cancer.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

Short-term treatment

Xofigo is given short term for certain types of advanced prostate cancer. Doctors prescribe Xofigo to be given every 4 weeks for six injections, totaling 24 weeks of receiving the medication.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about how long you can expect to receive Xofigo.

The Xofigo dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on one primary factor: your body weight.

Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you an IV injection of Xofigo. The injection takes only 1 minute. You will need to receive your injection at a qualified treatment facility where healthcare professionals or technicians are trained to administer Xofigo. Your doctor can help you locate the nearest treatment facility.

If you have questions about how Xofigo will be given, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. There’s also an explanation of what to expect when receiving treatment on the manufacturer’s website.

If you miss your appointment for a Xofigo injection, call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to reschedule. They’ll adjust your dosing schedule as needed.

If you need help remembering your appointments, try setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Xofigo.

Is the dosage of Xofigo similar to the dosage of Xtandi?

Both drugs are prescribed to treat prostate cancer, but the dosage of Xofigo differs from the dosage of Xtandi (enzalutamide). The recommended dosage for Xofigo is 55 kBq/kg of body weight, given every 4 weeks for six injections. Xtandi’s dosage is 160 mg taken daily.

Also, Xofigo comes as an injectable solution, whereas Xtandi comes as oral capsules and oral tablets.

The doses for each drug differ because they have different active ingredients, formulations, and ways they work. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Xofigo to start working?

Xofigo is absorbed within minutes of your first dose and starts to work right away. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But the doctor who manages your cancer treatment will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working to treat your condition.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about what to expect with Xofigo treatment.

The dosage in this article is the typical dosage provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Xofigo for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

If you have questions about the dosage of Xofigo that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Xofigo. These additional articles might be helpful:

  • More about Xofigo: For information about other aspects of Xofigo, refer to this article.
  • Side effects: To learn about side effects of Xofigo, see this article. You can also look at the Xofigo prescribing information.
  • Details about prostate cancer: For details about prostate cancer, see our cancer hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.