Note: This document contains side effect information about abiraterone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Zytiga.
Summary
Common side effects of Zytiga include: decreased serum potassium, increased serum aspartate aminotransferase, increased serum triglycerides, fluid retention, and hypokalemia. Other side effects include: hypertension. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to abiraterone: oral tablet.
Serious side effects of Zytiga
Along with its needed effects, abiraterone (the active ingredient contained in Zytiga) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking abiraterone:
More common
- Bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- blurred vision
- body aches or pain
- chills
- cough
- decreased urine
- difficult, burning, or painful urination
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- ear congestion
- fainting
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- fever
- fractures
- frequent urge to urinate
- headache
- increased thirst
- loss of appetite
- loss of voice
- lower back or side pain
- mood changes
- nausea or vomiting
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- nervousness
- pounding in the ears
- runny or stuffy nose
- seizures
- slow or fast heartbeat
- sneezing
- sore throat
- swelling
- trouble breathing
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
- dilated neck veins
- irregular breathing
- weight gain
Incidence not known
- Clay-colored stools
- dark urine
- diarrhea
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- itching, rash
- muscle cramp, spasm, pain, or stiffness
- stomach pain, continuing
- thickening of bronchial secretions
- unpleasant breath odor
- vomiting of blood
- yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects of Zytiga
Some side effects of abiraterone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Constipation
- falls
- feeling of warmth
- groin pain
- increased urge to urinate during the night
- joint swelling or discomfort
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
- trouble sleeping
- waking to urinate at night
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to abiraterone: oral tablet.
Endocrine
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Adrenocortical insufficiency[Ref]
Hepatic
Very common (10% or more): Elevated ALT (up to 41.9%), elevated AST (up to 37.3%)
Common (1% to 10%): Elevated total bilirubin
Postmarketing reports: Fulminant hepatitis, acute liver failure and death[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Hot flush (up to 22.3%), hypertension (up to 21.6%)
Common (1% to 10%): Arrhythmia, chest pain/chest discomfort, angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, myocardial infarction/ischemia, cardiac failure (e.g., congestive heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction, decreased ejection fraction)
Frequency not reported: QT prolongation[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Very common (10% or more): Joint swelling/discomfort (up to 30.3%), muscle discomfort (up to 26.2%), contusion (up to 13.3%)
Common (1% to 10%): Groin pain, fractures, falls
Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis, myopathy[Ref]
Hematologic
Very common (10% or more): Lymphopenia (up to 38.2%), anemia[Ref]
Metabolic
Very common (10% or more): Hypertriglyceridemia (up to 62.5%), hyperglycemia (up to 56.6%), hypernatremia (up to 32.8%), hypokalemia (up to 28.3%), fluid retention/edema (up to 26.7%), hypophosphatemia (up to 23.8%), elevated alkaline phosphatase, hypercholesterolemia[Ref]
Renal
Frequency not reported: Renal failure[Ref]
Other
Very common (10% or more): Fatigue (up to 39.1%)
Common (1% to 10%): Sepsis, pyrexia[Ref]
Respiratory
Very common (10% or more): Cough (up to 17.3%), upper respiratory tract infection (up to 12.7%), dyspnea (up to 11.8%), nasopharyngitis (up to 10.7%)
Postmarketing reports: Non-infectious pneumonitis, allergic alveolitis[Ref]
Genitourinary
Very common (10% or more): Urinary tract infection (up to 12%), hematuria (up to 10.3%)
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary frequency, nocturia[Ref]
Psychiatric
Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 13.5%)[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Constipation (up to 23.1%), diarrhea (up to 21.6%), dyspepsia (up to 11.1%), vomiting[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Rash[Ref]
