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Indications

High Alert


Contraind./Precautions

Contraindicated in:

Use Cautiously in:

Adv. Reactions/Side Effects

Interactions

Drug-drug:

Availability

(Generic available)
  • Tablets: 60 mg; 240 mg

Route/Dosage

  • PO (Adults ): 240 mg once daily.

US Brand Names

Erleada

Action

  • Acts as an androgen receptor inhibitor, preventing the binding of androgen; also inhibits androgen nuclear translocation and DNA interaction.
  • Decreases proliferation and induces cell death of prostate cancer cells.
Therapeutic effects:
  • Decreased growth and spread of prostate cancer.

Classifications

Therapeutic Classification: antineoplastics

Pharmacologic Classification: androgen receptor inhibitors

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Completely absorbed following oral administration.

Distribution: Extensively distributed to tissues.

Protein Binding: Apalutamide: 96%; N-desmethyl apalutamide: 95%.

Metabolism/Excretion: Metabolized by the CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 isoenzymes in the liver to an active metabolite (N-desmethyl apalutamide). Primarily excreted in urine (65%) and 24% excreted in feces, with only minimal amounts being excreted as unchanged drug.

Half-Life: 3 days.

Time/Action Profile

( plasma concentrations)

ROUTEONSETPEAKDURATION
POunknown2 hrunknown

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Explain purpose and side effects of apalutamide to patient. Instruct patient to take apalutamide as directed at the same time each day. Take missed doses as soon as remembered within the same day. If a whole day is missed, omit dose and take next day’s scheduled dose; do not double doses. Advise patient not to interrupt, modify dose, or stop taking apalutamide without consulting health care professional. Advise patient to read Patient Information before starting therapy and with each Rx refill in case of changes.
  • Instruct patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult health care professional before taking other Rx, OTC, or herbal products.
  • May cause seizures, falls, and fractures. Caution patient to avoid driving and other activities requiring alertness until response to medication is known. Notify health care professional immediately if seizure occurs.
  • Advise patient to notify health care professional immediately of symptoms of lung problems (e.g. shortness of breath, cough, fever).
  • Advise patient to notify health care professional if rash occurs.
  • Advise patient to notify health care professional and go to nearest emergency room if signs and symptoms of cardiac problems (chest pain or discomfort at rest or with activity, shortness of breath) occur.
  • Rep: May cause fetal harm. Caution patients that apalutamide is not approved for use by females. Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during and for 3 mo after last dose of therapy. May impair fertility in males of reproductive potential.

Pronunciation

a-pa-LOO-ta-mide

Code

NDC Code