Abiraterone

Say it: a-bir-A-ter-own · Brand names: Zytiga, Yonsa

Abiraterone is a hormone pill that stops the body from making the hormones that help prostate cancer grow.

What it is

Testosterone is made in the testicles, the adrenal glands and even inside some prostate cancer cells. Abiraterone blocks an enzyme the body needs to make these hormones in all of those places. It is taken with a steroid medicine (prednisone or methylprednisolone) to prevent side effects from the adrenal glands.

Often used for

• prostate cancer that has spread
• prostate cancer that keeps growing despite low testosterone

How you get it

Abiraterone is a pill you take by mouth once a day, along with a steroid pill. Most people also keep getting a shot or pill that lowers testosterone. Your schedule may be different.

Common side effects and what helps

• Feeling tired. Rest and short walks can help.
• Swelling in the legs or feet. Raise your legs when you sit and tell your team if it gets worse.
• Joint pain or swelling. Gentle movement and warm baths may help.
• Hot flashes. Dress in layers and keep cool drinks nearby.
• High blood pressure. Your team will check it often, and you may check it at home.
• Low potassium in the blood. Your team will check this with blood tests.
• Diarrhea. Drink plenty of fluids and tell your team if it does not get better.

Call your care team right away if you have

• Muscle weakness, muscle cramps, or a fast or uneven heartbeat
• Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or pain on the right side of your belly
• Sudden weight gain, a lot of new swelling, or trouble breathing
• Severe headache, dizziness, or confusion
• Feeling very weak, dizzy, sick to your stomach, or faint, especially if you missed steroid doses or are sick
• A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or chills

Before you start, tell your team

• If you have heart problems, high blood pressure, or low potassium
• If you have liver problems
• If you have diabetes, especially if you take diabetes pills called pioglitazone or repaglinide
• All the medicines you take, including vitamins, herbs and supplements
• If you are getting radium 223 (Xofigo) or other radiation medicines

Good to know

• You will have blood tests to check your liver, usually every 2 weeks for the first 3 months, then monthly.
• Your team will check your blood pressure and potassium regularly.
• Keep taking your steroid pill as directed. Tell your team if you get sick, are injured or need surgery, since you may need extra steroid.
• Abiraterone is not given at the same time as radium 223 because of a higher risk of broken bones and death.
• Abiraterone can lower blood sugar when used with some diabetes medicines. Check your sugar as your team advises.

At home

• Follow your team's food instructions exactly. Zytiga and its generics must be taken on an empty stomach (at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating). Yonsa can be taken with or without food. Taking Zytiga with food can raise the amount in your body too much.
• Swallow the tablets whole with water. Do not crush or chew them.
• If you miss a dose, ask your care team what to do. Do not take two doses to make up for it.
• Store at room temperature, away from children and pets.
• People who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not touch the pills without gloves.
• Men should use a condom during sex with a partner who is pregnant or could become pregnant, during treatment and for 3 weeks after.

Questions to ask

• Should I take this with or without food?
• How often will I need blood tests?
• Should I check my blood pressure at home?
• What should I do about my steroid pill if I get sick?

Side effect guides

• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Diarrhea
• Pain

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.