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Erleada Coupon - Erleada 60mg tablet

Erleada

apalutamide
Used for Prostate Cancer
Used for Prostate Cancer

Erleada (apalutamide) is an oral medication used to treat certain types of prostate cancer. Erleada (apalutamide) is one of the recommended options for prostate cancer and is taken once a day. But it should be used in combination with another hormonal medication that targets GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone), unless you’ve had surgery to remove both testicles (bilateral orchiectomy). Erleada (apalutamide) can cause a rash that can take several months to go away, which can be bothersome.

Last reviewed on August 7, 2022
basics-icon

What is Erleada (apalutamide)?

What is Erleada (apalutamide) used for?

  • Advanced or metastatic prostate cancer (cancer that've spread to other areas)

How Erleada (apalutamide) works

Most prostate cancer cells need testosterone to grow and spread. Testosterone is a type of male sex hormone called an androgen.

Erleada (apalutamide) is an androgen receptor inhibitor (antiandrogen), a type of hormone therapy that works by blocking testosterone from binding to prostate cancer cells. Without testosterone, cancer cells won’t have the fuel they need to grow or spread.

Are you looking for information on Nubeqa (darolutamide) or Xtandi (enzalutamide) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsErleada
Drug ClassAnticancer
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Erleada (apalutamide)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Please note that some people who reported the following side effects were also taking a medication that targets GnRH:
  • Tiredness (up to 39%)
  • Rash (up to 28%)
  • Hot flashes (up to 23%)
  • Diarrhea (20%)
  • Nausea (18%)
  • Headaches, changes to your vision, and other symptoms of high blood pressure (18%)
  • Joint pain (up to 17%)
  • Falls (16%)
  • Weight loss (16%)

Other Side Effects

  • Lower appetite
  • Bone fractures
  • Itchy skin
  • Swelling in arms or legs
  • Tiredness, weight gain, and other symptoms of low thyroid hormone

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Seizures
  • Heart problems: chest pain, racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, arm or shoulder pain, swelling of your legs or feet, sudden weight gain, sweating, fatigue, dizziness, nausea or vomiting
  • Stroke: sudden numbness or weakness, confusion, trouble speaking, trouble seeing, dizziness, severe headache

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Dry cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Heart attackpain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
  • Increase in blood pressure
  • Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
  • Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
  • Seizures
  • Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Erleada (apalutamide)

thumbs-up

Pros

Oral pill, taken once daily

Recommended option for certain types of prostate cancer

Can treat prostate cancer that is no longer responding to other hormonal therapies

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Cons

Available as brand only, so can be expensive

Can cause a rash, which can take several months to go away

Can raise your risk for seizures

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Erleada (apalutamide)

pharmacist
  • Erleada (apalutamide) can be taken with or without food. It doesn’t matter what time of the day you take it, as long as you take it around the same time each day.

    • Swallow Erleada (apalutamide) tablets whole. Don’t cut, crush, or chew the tablets.

      • Erleada (apalutamide) isn't meant to be taken alone to treat prostate cancer. Typically, you should be taking it at the same time as a medication that targets a hormone called GnRH (e.g. Lupron Depot (leuprolide) or Firmagon (degarelix)), unless you’ve had surgery to remove both testicles. Check with your provider if you aren’t receiving a GnRH-targeting medication. Don’t stop taking these medications without talking to your healthcare provider first.

        • If you miss a dose of Erleada (apalutamide) and it’s not time for your next dose, take your missed dose as soon as possible. If it’s time for your next dose, skip the missed dose, and take your next dose at your next regularly scheduled time. Don't take two doses at the same time.

          • Be careful while driving, operating heavy machinery, or doing any activities that require a lot of focus and attention until you know how Erleada (apalutamide) affects you.

            • Erleada (apalutamide) can cause seizures and sudden loss of consciousness. If you experience a seizure while taking this medication, stop taking it and contact your provider.

              • If your partner is able to become pregnant, use appropriate birth control measures, such as condoms, while you’re taking Erleada (apalutamide), and for 3 months after your last dose. It’s possible for Erleada (apalutamide) to cause birth defects or pregnancy loss in female partners of males who are taking this medication. Talk with your provider if you have questions about birth control options for you and your partner.

                • Erleada (apalutamide) can affect your ability to have children. If you’re donating or thinking about donating sperm, you’ll need to stop while you’re taking and for 3 months after your last dose of Erleada (apalutamide).

                  • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the best way to handle and dispose of this anticancer medication. These medications can be very harmful to people who handle or come into contact with them, so you need to get rid of them safely.

                    faqs

                    Frequently asked questions about Erleada (apalutamide)

                    What if I have trouble swallowing Erleada (apalutamide) tablets whole?
                    If you have difficulty swallowing Erleada (apalutamide) tablets whole, you can dissolve the tablets with applesauce before swallowing. It’s very important that you don’t crush the tablets. Instead, add your dose to 4 ounces of applesauce. Once added, wait 15 minutes, then stir the mixture. Wait another 15 minutes, and stir again. Make sure the tablets are mixed in and there aren’t any chunks. Then you should eat all the applesauce mixture. After you’ve eaten all the mixture, add 2 ounces of water to the container and rinse any applesauce and Erleada (apalutamide) mixture that might’ve clung to the sides of the container - then drink this water. Add another 2 ounces of water to the container and repeat this step one more time. Make sure you follow all these steps to make sure that you get all of your dose.
                    Do I pick up Erleada (apalutamide) at my regular pharmacy?
                    No. Erleada (apalutamide) is considered a specialty medication, which it’s typically only available from a specialty pharmacy. Specialty pharmacies are used to dealing with medications like Erleada (apalutamide) that treat complicated health conditions or cancer. Your provider will work with the specialty pharmacy to set up this process and Erleada (apalutamide) will be mailed to your home. Ask your healthcare provider if you have questions about this process.
                    Can Erleada (apalutamide) cause rash?
                    About 25% of people taking Erleada (apalutamide) developed a rash. The rash can be flat or have raised areas of redness on the skin. You might notice the rash several months after you’ve already started Erleada (apalutamide). For most people, the rash took a few months to go away. Your provider can prescribe you medications like antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine (Benadryl)) or topical corticosteroids (e.g hydrocortisone) to help with any bothersome symptoms. If you develop a rash, your provider will decide if your dose needs to be changed or if you should stop taking Erleada (apalutamide). Let your provider know if you start to develop any symptoms of a rash, such as red or itchy skin.
                    Is Erleada (apalutamide) a kind of chemotherapy?
                    Erleada (apalutamide) is not a chemotherapy medication. Chemotherapy is a class of medication that targets and kills cancer cells in your body. Erleada (apalutamide) doesn’t kill cancer cells. Instead, it’s a form of hormonal therapy called an androgen receptor inhibitor or antiandrogen. It works by blocking the male sex hormone, testosterone, in your body. Most prostate cancer cells need testosterone to grow and spread. By blocking testosterone, Erleada (apalutamide) blocks the “fuel” cancer cells need to grow or spread.
                    Can taking Erleada (apalutamide) affect my fertility (ability to have children)?
                    It's possible that Erleada (apalutamide) can affect your ability to have children. While there isn't enough research done in people, animal studies show that Erleada (apalutamide) can lower the amount of sperm you make and damage your sperm. Because of this possible risk, it's recommended that you don't donate sperm while you’re taking this medication and for 3 months after your last dose. Talk to your provider if you have concerns about fertility.
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                    What are the risks and warnings for Erleada (apalutamide)?

                    Erleada (apalutamide) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                    risk-warning

                    Problems with blood vessels in the heart and brain

                    Risk factors: High blood pressure | High blood sugar | High cholesterol

                    Erleada (apalutamide) can cause the blood vessels around your heart and brain to narrow and make it difficult for enough blood or oxygen to reach these places. Though rare, this can lead to serious problems, including heart attacks and strokes. If you’re at risk for heart problems, your provider might monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar, or cholesterol more regularly while you’re taking Erleada (apalutamide). Let your provider know right away or seek medical help if you have chest pain, racing heartbeat, trouble breathing, arm or shoulder pain, sudden numbness or weakness, severe headache, or sudden confusion.

                    risk-warning

                    Falls and fractures

                    Risk factors: Older adults | Taking other medications that can affect your balance

                    Erleada (apalutamide) can put you at risk for falls and bone fractures, especially if you’re an older adult. This can happen months or even years after you start Erleada (apalutamide). Your provider might monitor you more closely if you’re at higher risk for falls and fractures and might prescribe medication to help strengthen your bones. Tell your provider if you develop bone pain or experience more falls while taking this medication.

                    risk-warning

                    Seizures

                    Risk factors: Taking other medications that can raise the risk of seizures | Past seizures | Other risk factors of seizures

                    Though rare, Erleada (apalutamide) might put you at risk for seizures. Seizures can occur as early as 6 months after you start taking this medication. Let your provider know if you have a history of seizures or conditions that raise your risk of seizures, or are taking medications that can make you more likely to have a seizure. Let your loved ones and caregivers know of this risk so they can help you and also get medical help if you do have a seizure. Stop taking Erleada (apalutamide) and tell your provider right away if you think you've had a seizure while on treatment because most likely you’ll need to switch to a different medication to treat your prostate cancer. Some early symptoms of a seizure can include having a strange sense of taste or smell, anxiety, nausea, or a fluttering sensation.

                    risk-warning

                    Possible harm to unborn baby

                    It’s possible for Erleada (apalutamide) to harm unborn babies.
                    If your partner is able to get pregnant, you should use birth control measures, such as condoms, while taking Erleada (apalutamide), and for 3 months after your last dose. Let your provider know right away if your partner becomes pregnant during this time.

                    dosage

                    Erleada (apalutamide) dosage forms

                    Typical dosing for Erleada (apalutamide)

                    The typical dose is 240 mg of Erleada (apalutamide) taken by mouth once a day.

                    alternatives

                    What are alternatives to Erleada (apalutamide)?

                    There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Erleada (apalutamide). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                    Erleada (apalutamide)
                    Used for:
                    • Advanced or metastatic prostate cancer (cancer that've spread to other areas)

                    Used for:
                    • Advanced or metastatic prostate cancer

                    Used for:
                    images

                    Erleada (apalutamide) images

                    Green-Yellow Oblong Ar 60 - Erleada 60mg Tablet
                    This medicine is Green-Yellow, Oblong Tablet Imprinted With "Ar 60".Green-Yellow Oblong Ar 60 - Erleada 60mg Tablet

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