Zytiga (abiraterone acetate) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for certain type of prostate cancer in adults. Zytiga comes as a tablet that’s typically taken once per day.

Zytiga is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following in adults when given with prednisone:

Zytiga belongs to a drug class called androgen biosynthesis inhibitors. Zytiga is available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Zytiga, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Zytiga, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Zytiga provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Zytiga, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

The information below describes Zytiga’s typical dosages and other details about the drug.

Zytiga form

Zytiga comes as an oral tablet.

Zytiga strengths

Zytiga comes in two strengths: 250 milligrams (mg) and 500 mg.

Typical dosages

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended to 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 metastatic CRPC

Doctors may prescribe Zytiga to treat metastatic CRPC. The drug is typically taken with prednisone. Your doctor will also prescribe a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog drug, such as leuprolide, for you to take with Zytiga unless you’ve had a bilteral orchiectomy.

If your doctor prescribes Zytiga, your dose will be 1,000 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once daily. You’ll take two 500-mg tablets or four 250-mg tablets once daily.

Along with your Zytiga dose, you’ll also take prednisone 5 mg twice daily.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for metastatic high risk CSPC

Doctors may prescribe Zytiga to treat metastatic high risk CSPC. The drug is typically taken with prednisone. Your doctor will also prescribe a GnRH analog drug, such as leuprolide, for you to take with Zytiga unless you’ve had a bilteral orchiectomy.

If your doctor prescribes Zytiga, your dose will be 1,000 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once daily. You’ll take two 500-mg tablets or four 250-mg tablets once daily.

Along with your Zytiga dose, you’ll also take prednisone 5 mg once daily.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Long-term treatment

Zytiga may be prescribed as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Zytiga is safe and effective for you, you may take it long term.

Before you start taking Zytiga, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

The Zytiga dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • other medications you take
  • side effects you may have with Zytiga
  • your liver function

Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Zytiga dosage.

Dosage adjustments

Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage if you have a liver condition, such as alcohol-related liver disease. They may also adjust your dose if you develop liver damage as a side effect from taking Zytiga.

Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take and any health conditions you may have.

Zytiga comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. Do not divide, crush, chew, or place the tablets in water. Zytiga must be taken on an empty stomach. You should avoid eating food at least 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking Zytiga.

It may be helpful to take Zytiga around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Zytiga can work effectively.

If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having difficulty opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Zytiga in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

If you miss a dose of Zytiga, take your prescribed dose the next day. If you miss more than one dose, tell your doctor right away. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose or skip it, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.

It’s important that you do not take more Zytiga than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you take more than the recommended amount of Zytiga

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Zytiga. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Zytiga.

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

Yes, the forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Zytiga and Xtandi are both oral tablets taken once per day for certain types of prostate cancer. Xtandi also comes as an oral capsule.

The dose in mg for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. 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 Zytiga to start working?

Zytiga starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. But your doctor 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 Zytiga treatment.

The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Zytiga for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.

As with any drug, never change your dosage of Zytiga without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Zytiga that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.

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

  • More about Zytiga: For information about other aspects of Zytiga, refer to this article.
  • Side effects: To learn about side effects of Zytiga, see this article. You can also look at the Zytiga prescribing information.
  • Cost: If you’d like to learn about Zytiga and cost, see this article.
  • 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.