Niraparib and abiraterone: Patient drug information

What is this drug used for?

It is used to treat prostate cancer. If you have been given this drug for some other reason, talk with your doctor for more information.
This drug is taken with a steroid drug like prednisone. Take the steroid drug with this drug as you have been told by your doctor.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you have any of these health problems: Liver disease or low potassium levels.
If you have any of these health problems: Bone marrow disease (like low white blood cell count, low platelet count, or anemia).
If you have high blood pressure.
If you are getting a type of radiation called radium Ra 223 dichloride.
If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with this drug. This includes rifampin, St. John’s wort, or certain drugs used for seizures. There are many drugs that must not be taken with this drug.
If you are able to get pregnant or breast-feed. This drug is not approved for use in these patients. This drug may cause harm to an unborn baby or loss of an unborn baby. If you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding, talk with your doctor.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Have your blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by your doctor.
This drug may lower the ability of the bone marrow to make blood cells that the body needs. If blood cell counts get very low, this can lead to bleeding problems, infections, or anemia. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
You may have more chance of getting an infection. Wash hands often. Stay away from people with infections, colds, or flu.
Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection like fever, chills, flu-like signs, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or a wound that will not heal.
You may bleed more easily. Be careful and avoid injury. Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor.
Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of bleeding problems, like bruising; black, tarry, or bloody stools; bleeding gums; blood in the urine; coughing up blood; cuts that take a long time to stop bleeding; feel dizzy; feeling very tired or weak; nosebleeds; pain or swelling; throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds; or very bad headache.
High blood pressure has happened with this drug. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
This drug may cause you to swell or keep fluid in your body. Tell your doctor if you have swelling, weight gain, or trouble breathing.
Severe low blood sugar has happened in people with high blood sugar (diabetes) who are taking pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, or repaglinide. If you take one of these drugs, talk with your doctor. Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of low blood sugar like dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating.
This drug may cause low potassium levels. An abnormal heartbeat (prolonged QT interval) has happened in people with low potassium levels. Sometimes, this has led to another type of unsafe abnormal heartbeat (torsades de pointes). Call your doctor right away if you have a fast or abnormal heartbeat, or if you pass out.
This drug may affect being able to father a child. Talk with the doctor.
If your sex partner may get pregnant, you must use birth control while taking this drug and for some time after the last dose. Ask your doctor how long to use birth control. If your partner gets pregnant, call the doctor right away.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs of high potassium levels like an abnormal heartbeat; feeling confused, weak, lightheaded, or dizzy; feeling like passing out; muscle pain, weakness, or cramps; numbness or tingling; or shortness of breath.
Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
Signs of a weak adrenal gland like a severe upset stomach or throwing up, severe dizziness or passing out, muscle weakness, feeling very tired, mood changes, decreased appetite, or weight loss.
Bone pain.
Falls.
Pale skin.
Liver problems have happened with this drug. Sometimes, these have been deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, tiredness, decreased appetite, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.
A bone marrow problem called myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and a type of cancer called acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have happened in some people taking this drug. These effects may be deadly. The people who had these effects had received chemo or certain other cancer treatments in the past. Call your doctor right away if you have blood in the urine or stools, fever, infections that happen often, shortness of breath, any bruising or bleeding, feel very tired or weak, or have weight loss.
A very bad and sometimes deadly brain problem called posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) has happened with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have signs like feeling confused, lowered alertness, change in eyesight, loss of eyesight, seizures, or very bad headache.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
Muscle pain.
Cough.
Constipation, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or decreased appetite.
Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak.
Headache.
Trouble sleeping.
Weight loss.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
Take this drug on an empty stomach. Take at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
Take with a full glass of water.
Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
People who are pregnant or who may get pregnant must not touch the tablets without wearing gloves.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
If you do not think about the missed dose until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
Do not take more than 1 dose of this drug in the same day.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider's examination and assessment of a patient's specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

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Niraparib and abiraterone: Patient drug information