Abiraterone: what it treats, how to take it, side effects
Last updated September 6, 2026.
**Abiraterone is a prescription prostate cancer medicine in the androgen biosynthesis inhibitor class.** It reduces hormones that help prostate cancer grow. Take your prescribed steroid consistently because stopping it can cause adrenal problems.
What does it treat?
You may receive abiraterone for prostate cancer that has spread and either progresses despite testosterone suppression or remains hormone sensitive with high-risk features. Yonsa treats the resistant form; Zytiga treats both. You continue testosterone suppression unless both testicles were removed. Akeega combines abiraterone with niraparib for selected prostate cancers and has separate instructions.
How do you take it?
Swallow tablets whole with water. Zytiga or equivalent generics: 1,000 mg once daily using 250 mg or 500 mg tablets, with prednisone 5 mg twice daily for resistant cancer or once daily for high-risk sensitive cancer. Eat nothing for 2 hours before and 1 hour afterward. Yonsa: four 125 mg tablets once daily, with or without food, plus methylprednisolone 4 mg twice daily. Your usual daily limit is 1,000 mg for Zytiga or 500 mg for Yonsa unless your oncologist explicitly adjusts it. Skip a missed dose; resume tomorrow without doubling. Call if you miss more than one dose. Stop abiraterone and call promptly for yellow eyes or dark urine.
Side effects to know
- Common: You may experience fatigue, joint discomfort, hot flashes, diarrhea, nausea, swelling, or increased blood pressure.
- Serious: Hold abiraterone and get urgent help for jaundice, severe weakness, or irregular heartbeats, which can signal liver injury, adrenal problems, or low potassium. Stop it and call 911 for throat swelling or trouble breathing.
Who should not take it?
Do not take it with severe liver impairment or a known ingredient allergy. Discuss heart disease, high blood pressure, low potassium, diabetes, adrenal problems, infections, and all medicines first. Avoid use during pregnancy or breastfeeding; fetal harm is established and milk transfer is unknown. Ask your oncologist before drinking alcohol.
When is it an emergency?
For overdose, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately. Possible signs include irregular heartbeat, dizziness, swelling, and breathing difficulty. Call 911 for collapse, breathing trouble, chest pain, seizures, or inability to wake. Severe weakness with vomiting and faintness needs emergency evaluation for adrenal crisis.
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Common questions
What is the maximum daily dose?
Your usual limit is 1,000 mg for Zytiga or 500 mg for Yonsa. Certain unavoidable interactions require specialist changes to dosing frequency. Never increase your dose yourself or substitute these formulations.
Can I take it with food?
Zytiga requires an empty stomach. Avoid food for 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking it. Yonsa can be taken with or without food.
Can I drink alcohol?
The labels do not set an alcohol allowance. Ask your oncologist before drinking. Your liver test results and other medicines help determine whether you should avoid alcohol.
What if my partner could become pregnant?
Use effective contraception throughout treatment and for 3 weeks afterward. Abiraterone can harm a developing baby. Anyone pregnant or potentially pregnant should use protective gloves when handling tablets.
What are overdose symptoms?
You could develop a racing heartbeat, dizziness, or shortness of breath. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 even without symptoms. Call 911 for collapse or breathing trouble.
Which interactions matter?
Report rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and St. John's wort before treatment. Pioglitazone or repaglinide can increase your risk of severe low blood sugar. Combining abiraterone and its steroid with radium Ra 223 is not recommended because of increased fractures and deaths.