This combination medication is used to treat prostate
cancer. It contains 2 medications: niraparib and abiraterone. Niraparib
works by slowing the growth of cancer cells. Abiraterone works by
decreasing the amount of testosterone the body makes, which helps slow down
the growth and spread of prostate cancer.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start taking this product and each time you get
a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or
pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach as
directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Swallow the tablets whole with
water. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets. Do not eat food for 2
hours before and 1 hour after taking this medication. Taking this
medication with food increases the amount of this drug in your body and
increases the risk of side effects.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response
to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your
doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including
prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal
products).
Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit
from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each
day.
Do not increase your dose or use this drug more often or
for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and
your risk of serious side effects will increase.
Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and
lungs and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become
pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the
tablets.
Constipation, trouble sleeping, dizziness, nausea, or
vomiting may occur. Rarely, nausea and vomiting can be severe. Taking this
medication at bedtime may help reduce nausea. In some cases, your doctor
may prescribe medication to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting.
Limiting activity may help lessen some of these effects. If any of these
effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist
promptly.
People using this medication may have serious side
effects. However, you have been prescribed this drug because your doctor
has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side
effects. Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your
risk.
This medication may raise your blood pressure and heart
rate. Check your blood pressure and heart rate regularly and tell your
doctor if the results are high. Your doctor may control your blood pressure
and heart rate with medication.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- swelling of the hands/ankles/feet
- muscle cramps/weakness
- leg pain
This medication decreases bone marrow function, an
effect that may lead to a low number of blood cells such as red cells,
white cells, and platelets. This effect can cause anemia, decrease your
body's ability to fight an infection, or cause easy bruising/bleeding.
Rarely, this medication may also cause certain cancers of the bone marrow
or blood cells. Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of the
following symptoms:
- unusual tiredness/weakness
- pale skin
- signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away,
fever, chills, painful urination, pink/bloody urine)
- easy bruising/bleeding
- weight loss
Rarely, this medication may cause a condition called
PRES (posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome). Get medical help right
away if you develop a headache that doesn't go away, seizures, sudden
vision changes, or mental/mood changes (such as confusion).
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
- chest pain
- fast/irregular heartbeat
- severe dizziness
- fainting
- symptoms of liver disease (such as nausea/vomiting that
doesn't stop, loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing
eyes/skin, dark urine)
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking this product, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to niraparib or abiraterone; or if you have
any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which
can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for
more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- previous heart attack
- high blood pressure
- liver disease
- diabetes
This product can make you more likely to get infections
or may worsen any current infections. Avoid contact with people who have
infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu).
Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more
details.
Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the
consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently
received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the
nose).
To lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured,
use caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters, and avoid
activities such as contact sports.
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
This product may cause a condition that affects the
heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious
(rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe
dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right
away.
The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have
certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT
prolongation. Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of
all the drugs you take and if you have any of the following
conditions:
- certain heart problems (heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT
prolongation in the EKG)
- family history of certain heart problems (QT prolongation in
the EKG, sudden cardiac death)
Low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood may
also increase your risk of QT prolongation. This risk may increase if you
use certain drugs (such as diuretics/"water pills") or if you have
conditions such as severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting. Talk to your
doctor about using this product safely.
Using corticosteroid medications for a long time along
with this product can make it more difficult for your body to respond to
physical stress. Before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you
get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are
using this medication or have used this medication within the past 12
months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme
tiredness or weight loss. If you will be using this medication for a long
time, carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use
of this medication.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
This medication should not be used by women, especially
during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It may harm an unborn or breastfeeding
baby. Men using this medication should ask about reliable forms of birth
control during treatment and for 4 months after the last dose. Consult your
doctor for more details.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
A product that may interact with this drug
is:
Other medications can affect the removal of this product
from your body, which may affect how it works. Examples include drugs used
to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital,
primidone), rifamycins (such as rifampin), St. John's wort, among
others.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count,
blood pressure, heart rate, potassium levels, liver function, PSA blood
test) should be done before you start taking this product and while you are
taking it. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for
more details.
It is important to take each dose of this medication as
scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for
a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.
Your condition can cause complications in a medical
emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call
1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).