Caring for the Caregiver | Prostate Cancer Caregiver Tips

Remember to Take Care of Yourself

Caring for a loved one with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (prostate cancer that is resistant to medical or surgical treatments that lower testosterone and has spread to other parts of the body) can be challenging, both physically and mentally. Remember to take care of your own needs, too.

Important Tips for Taking Care of Yourself

Find help. Don't carry the burden on your own. Schedule time off for yourself.
Visit your doctor regularly. Your health is important, too.
Reach out to other caregivers. They understand what you're going through and may be able to offer support.
Connect with friends. They may want to help, but don't know how. Let them know you need them.
Pay attention to your own feelings.
You can find additional advice and information online at My Prostate Cancer Road Map.

UPDATE: ZYTIGA plus prednisone is now approved as a treatment for BEFORE OR AFTER chemotherapy with docetaxel.

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Talk to Your Doctor About ZYTIGA^®.

Talking to your doctor about ZYTIGA^® can be a positive step in your treatment. View our Talking to Your Doctor section to help have a productive discussion with your doctor.

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ZYTIGA^® is an oral medication that you can take at home.

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Print Our Brochure "Discover ZYTIGA^®"

If you or a loved one are considering ZYTIGA^®, you can have important information at your fingertips.

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Medication Tracker for ZYTIGA^®

Put this personalized scheduler in a convenient place, so you can check off your daily doses of ZYTIGA^® and prednisone.

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Talk to a ZytigaOne^™ Support Care Coordinator

1-855-ZYTIGA-1 (998-4421)
Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 8:00PM ET

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What is ZYTIGA^®?

ZYTIGA^® (abiraterone acetate) is a prescription medicine that is used along with prednisone. ZYTIGA^® is used to treat men with castration-resistant prostate cancer (prostate cancer that is resistant to medical or surgical treatments that lower testosterone) that has spread to other parts of the body.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Who should not take ZYTIGA^®?

Do not take ZYTIGA^® if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. ZYTIGA^® may harm your unborn baby. Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not touch ZYTIGA^® without protection, such as gloves.

ZYTIGA^® is not for use in women or children. Keep ZYTIGA^® and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Before you take ZYTIGA^®, tell your healthcare provider if you:

Have heart problems
Have liver problems
Have a history of adrenal problems
Have a history of pituitary problems
Have any other medical conditions
Plan to become pregnant (See "Who should not take ZYTIGA^®?")
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ZYTIGA^® passes into your breast milk. You and your healthcare provider should decide if you will take ZYTIGA^® or breastfeed. You should not do both. (See "Who should not take ZYTIGA^®?")
Take any other medicines, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ZYTIGA^® can interact with many other medicines.

If you are taking ZYTIGA^®:

Take ZYTIGA^® and prednisone exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
Take your prescribed dose of ZYTIGA^® one time a day. Your healthcare provider may change your dose if needed.
Do not stop taking your prescribed dose of ZYTIGA^® or prednisone without talking to your healthcare provider first.
Take ZYTIGA^® on an empty stomach. Do not take ZYTIGA^® with food. Taking ZYTIGA^® with food may cause more of the medicine to be absorbed by the body than is needed and this may cause side effects.
No food should be eaten 2 hours before and 1 hour after taking ZYTIGA^®.
Swallow ZYTIGA^® tablets whole. Do not crush or chew tablets.
Take ZYTIGA^® tablets with water.
Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check for side effects.
Men who are sexually active with a pregnant woman must use a condom during and for one week after treatment with ZYTIGA^®. If their sexual partner may become pregnant a condom and another form of birth control must be used during and for one week after treatment with ZYTIGA^®. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have any questions about birth control.

ZYTIGA^® may cause serious side effects including:

High blood pressure (hypertension), low blood potassium levels (hypokalemia), and fluid retention (edema).
Tell your healthcare provider if you get any of the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Fast heartbeats
- Feel faint or lightheaded
- Headache
- Confusion
- Muscle weakness
- Pain in your legs
- Swelling in your legs or feet
Adrenal problems may happen if you stop taking prednisone, get an infection, or are under stress.
Liver problems. You may develop changes in liver function blood test. Your healthcare provider will do blood tests to check your liver before treatment with ZYTIGA^® and during treatment with ZYTIGA^®.
The most common side effects of ZYTIGA^® include:
- Weakness
- Joint swelling or pain
- Swelling in your legs or feet
- Hot flushes
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Cough
- High blood pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Urinary tract infection
- Bruising
- Low red blood cells (anemia) and low blood potassium levels
- High blood sugar levels, high blood cholesterol and triglycerides
- Certain other abnormal blood tests

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

THESE ARE NOT ALL THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF ZYTIGA^®.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, ASK YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER OR PHARMACIST.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

ZYTIGA^® can interact with other medicines.

You should not start or stop any medicine before you talk with the healthcare provider that prescribed ZYTIGA^®.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them with you to show to your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.

Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

K08Z121175

Remember to Take Care of Yourself

Important Tips for Taking Care of Yourself

Talk to Your Doctor About ZYTIGA®.

ZYTIGA® is an oral medication that you can take at home.

Print Our Brochure "Discover ZYTIGA®"

Medication Tracker for ZYTIGA®

Talk to a ZytigaOne™ Support Care Coordinator

Get the ZytigaOne™ Support Brochure

What is ZYTIGA®?