Key takeaways
Apalutamide (Erleada) and abiraterone (Zytiga) are both oral medications that treat prostate cancer. But there are some differences between them. Erleada is FDA-approved for metastatic hormone-sensitive and non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. It works by blocking testosterone in prostate cancer cells. Zytiga is approved for both hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer. It works by reducing the amount of testosterone your body makes. Erleada is taken once daily, with or without food, while Zytiga must be taken on an empty stomach along with a steroid like prednisone. Common Erleada side effects include tiredness and rash, while Zytiga can cause high blood pressure and fluid buildup. Both medications require careful monitoring for rare, but serious side effects.
