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Enzalutamide

(en'' za loo' ta mide)

Brand Name(s): Xtandi®

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Enzalutamide is used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body in men and who have been helped by certain medical and surgical treatments that decrease testosterone levels. It is also used to treat prostate cancer in men who have not been helped by certain medical and surgical treatments that decrease testosterone levels. Enzalutamide is in a class of medications called androgen receptor inhibitors. It works by blocking the effects of androgen (a male reproductive hormone) to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Enzalutamide comes as a tablet or a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. Take enzalutamide at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take enzalutamide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the tablets or capsules whole; do not crush, chew, divide, dissolve, or open them.

Your doctor may tell you to stop taking enzalutamide for a short time or decrease your dose if you experience serious side effects during your treatment. Be sure to talk to your doctor about how you are feeling during your treatment with enzalutamide.

If your doctor has prescribed another medication such as degarelix (Firmagon), goserelin (Zoladex), histrelin (Supprelin LA, Vantas), leuprolide (Eligard, Lupron, in Lupaneta Pack), or triptorelin (Trelstar, Triptodur) to treat your prostate cancer, you will need to continue receiving this medication during your treatment with enzalutamide.

Continue to take enzalutamide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking enzalutamide without talking to your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking enzalutamide,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to enzalutamide, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in enzalutamide tablets or capsules. Ask your pharmacist or check the manufacturer's information for the patient for a list of the ingredients.

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Equetro, Tegretol, others), clopidogrel (Plavix), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergotamine (in Migergot, in Cafergot), fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora, Subsys, others), gemfibrozil (Lopid), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), omeprazole (Prilosec), midazolam, phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), pimozide (Orap), quinidine (in Nuedexta), rifabutin (Mycobutin, in Talicia), rifampin (Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater), rifapentine (Priftin), sirolimus (Rapamune), and tacrolimus (Prograf). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with enzalutamide, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.

  • tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.

  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures, a brain injury, a brain tumor, a brain arteriovenous malformation (abnormal connection between arteries and veins in the brain that forms before birth and may cause bleeding in the brain), broken bones, osteoporosis (a condition in which the bones become thin and weak and break easily), diabetes, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, heart disease, or have had a stroke or ministroke.

  • you should know that enzalutamide is only for use in men. Women should not take this medication, especially if they are or may become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Women, especially those who are or who may become pregnant should not touch enzalutamide capsules. If taken by pregnant women, enzalutamide may harm the fetus. If a pregnant woman takes enzalutamide, she should call her doctor immediately.

  • you should know that this medication may decrease fertility in men. However, you should not assume that your female partner cannot become pregnant. If your partner is pregnant, you must use a condom whenever you have sex during your treatment with enzalutamide and for 3 months after your final dose. If your partner is not pregnant but could become pregnant, you must use effective birth control whenever you have sex during your treatment and for 3 months after your final dose.

  • you should know that enzalutamide may cause seizures. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do IF I FORGET to take a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take more than one dose in one day and do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Enzalutamide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • weakness
  • tiredness
  • joint pain
  • muscle weakness or stiffness
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • burning, numbness, or tingling in the arms, hands, or feet
  • decreased sense of touch or ability to feel sensation
  • hot flashes
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • anxiety
  • difficulty remembering, thinking, or paying attention
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • itching
  • dry skin
  • nosebleeds
  • frequent urination
  • taste changes

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

  • seizures
  • headache; confusion; or vision changes
  • swelling of the face, tongue, lips, throat, arms, legs, hands, or feet
  • fever, cough, sore throat, or other signs of infection
  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath
  • pain in the back, muscles, and/or legs
  • numbness or tingling in the buttocks or legs
  • difficulty controlling urination or bowel movements
  • difficulty breathing
  • falling
  • broken bones or fractures
  • hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
  • breast enlargement in men
  • pink or red urine

Enzalutamide may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

  • seizures

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Dear patient

I am excited to announce that I will be relocating my practice to Houston Methodist DeBakey Cardiology Associates. Starting November 4, 2024, my new address will be:

5115 Fannin, Suite 801
Houston, TX 77004

Please note that my phone number and fax number will also change to the following:
24-Hour Telephone: 713-441-1100
Fax: 713-790-2643
Clinical Support Telephone (M-F, 8-5): 713-441-3515

I am excited about caring for you in my new office and hope you will make the transition with me. I will also continue to refill your medications as I have in the past. To assist, please provide your pharmacy with my new contact information.

Please consider checking your prescription refills to verify that you have enough medication on hand to last you until your next visit. Please note that your medical records will remain at my former office until you authorize their transfer. If you choose for me to continue providing your medical care, please complete and sign the enclosed “Authorization for Release of Medical Records” form and fax it to 713-790-2643. Once we receive your authorization, we will be happy to process the request for you.

Thank you for entrusting me with your medical care. My new team and I are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible. For help scheduling an appointment and transitioning your care, please call my new office number above.

I look forward to continuing your care at my new location.

Sincerely,
Gopi A. Shah, MD

Dear patient

Dr. Albert Raizner, Dr. Michael Raizner, and Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary are excited to announce that our practice, Interventional Cardiology Associates, will merge with Houston Cardiovascular Associates on November 1, 2024.

Our new offices are similarly located in Houston, near the Texas Medical Center and in Sugar Land. Our in-hospital care will continue at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center and Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. Importantly, our new offices expand our services with state-of-the-art equipment and amenities. Our core values will always be, as they began over 40 years ago when Dr. Albert Raizner founded ICA:

Integrity – Compassion – Accountability

Our new address and contact information are:

Your medical records are confidential and remain available at our new locations. We consider it a privilege to serve as your cardiologists and look forward to your continuing with us. However, should you desire to transfer to another physician, you may request a copy of your records by contacting us at our new addresses and phone numbers listed above.

We thank you for your trust and loyalty. As always, we will continue to be here to take care of you. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Dr. Albert Raizner,
Dr. Michael Raizner,
Dr. Mohamed El-Beheary