This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Erleada
Brand Names: Canada
Erleada
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 may be used with other drugs to treat your health condition. If you are also taking other drugs, talk with your doctor about the risks and side effects that may happen.
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 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 drug may interact with other drugs or health problems.
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 blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
- Some people have had seizures while taking this drug. The chance of seizures may be raised if you have certain brain blood vessel problems, take other drugs that may raise the chance of seizures, or if you have ever had seizures, brain injury, stroke, or brain cancer. Avoid tasks or actions where passing out may cause harm to you or others. Talk with your doctor.
- The chance of falling is raised with this drug. Falls may lead to very bad problems like broken bones. Talk to your doctor about the chance of falling and broken bones while taking this drug.
- High blood pressure has happened with this drug. Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
- Bleeding in the brain and blood vessel disease in the brain or heart have happened with this drug. Rarely, this has been deadly. Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, high blood sugar (diabetes), or high cholesterol or triglycerides. If you have questions, talk with the doctor.
- This drug may cause high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Talk with the doctor.
- If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor. This drug may raise blood sugar.
- Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.
- If you are 65 or older, use this drug with care. You could have more side effects.
- This drug is found in semen. Do not donate semen while you take this drug and for 3 months after your last dose.
- This drug may affect being able to father a child. Talk with the doctor.
- If your sex partner may become pregnant, use birth control while taking this drug and for 3 months after your last dose. If your partner gets pregnant, call the doctor right away.
- If your sex partner is pregnant, use a condom during sex.
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 blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Signs of high blood sugar like confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, flushing, fast breathing, or breath that smells like fruit.
- Signs of high potassium levels like a heartbeat that does not feel normal; feeling confused; feeling weak, lightheaded, or dizzy; feeling like passing out; numbness or tingling; or shortness of breath.
- Signs of low thyroid levels like constipation; not able to handle cold; memory problems; mood changes; or a burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on one side of the face, or blurred eyesight.
- Chest pain or pressure.
- Shortness of breath.
- Seizures.
- Swelling in the arms or legs.
- Bone pain.
- Low white blood cell counts have happened with this drug. This may lead to a higher chance of getting an infection. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection like fever, chills, or sore throat.
- Severe and sometimes deadly lung problems have happened with this drug. Call your doctor right away if you have lung or breathing problems that are new or worse like cough or shortness of breath.
- Severe skin reactions may happen with this drug. These include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other serious reactions. Sometimes, body organs may also be affected. These reactions can be deadly. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; red or irritated eyes; sores in your mouth, throat, nose, eyes, genitals, or any areas of skin; fever; chills; body aches; shortness of breath; or swollen glands.
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:
- Feeling tired or weak.
- Joint pain.
- Decreased appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Hot flashes.
- Diarrhea.
- Upset stomach.
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.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
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 with or without food.
- Take this drug at the same time of day.
- Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
- Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
- If you cannot swallow this drug whole, you may mix it in water. Put your dose in a cup. Do not crush or break the tablet. If your dose is 1 tablet, add about 2 teaspoons (10 mL) plain water. If your dose is 4 tablets, add about 4 teaspoons (20 mL) plain water. Be sure the tablets are fully covered. Wait 2 minutes until the tablets are broken up and spread out, then stir. Add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) orange juice, applesauce, or plain water. Stir again, then swallow. Rinse the cup with plain water and drink to be sure the whole dose is taken. Take this drug right away after mixing.
- Those who have feeding tubes may use this drug. Use as you have been told. Flush the feeding tube after this drug is given.
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 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store at room temperature protected from light. Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Store in the original container. Do not take out the antimoisture cube or packet.
- 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.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. 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.
Last Reviewed Date
2024-08-22
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