What is the relationship between upper respiratory tract infections and Zytiga (Abiraterone) use?

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Last updated: February 11, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

Upper respiratory tract infections are a common side effect of Zytiga (Abiraterone) use.

Common Side Effects

  • The evidence from 1 and 1 suggests that upper respiratory tract infections occur in more than 5% of patients taking abiraterone acetate.

Abiraterone Acetate Tolerance

In general, abiraterone acetate is well tolerated, with most side effects being grade 1 or 2 events, as reported in 1.

Monitoring and Management

Monitoring of patients on abiraterone therapy is crucial, particularly for signs of mineralocorticoid excess, such as hypertension, hypokalemia, and peripheral edema, as stated in 1.

Key Findings

  • The most common adverse reactions with abiraterone/prednisone (>5%) include fatigue, back or joint discomfort, peripheral edema, diarrhea, nausea, or constipation, hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, atrial fibrillation, muscle discomfort, hot flushes, urinary tract infection, cough, hypertension, urinary frequency and nocturia, dyspepsia, or upper respiratory tract infection, as reported in 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) that occurred more commonly (>2%) in the abiraterone acetate arm were ... upper respiratory infection ... Infections and infestations: Upper respiratory tract infection 5.4 0 2.5 0

Upper respiratory tract infections were reported as an adverse reaction in patients taking Zytiga (Abiraterone). The incidence of upper respiratory tract infections was 5.4% in the abiraterone acetate arm, compared to 2.5% in the placebo arm. 2

From the Research

Relationship Between Upper Respiratory Tract Infections and Zytiga (Abiraterone) Use

  • The relationship between upper respiratory tract infections and Zytiga (Abiraterone) use is not directly addressed in the provided studies.
  • However, a study on adverse events related to abiraterone treatment found that older patients (>85 years and 65-85 years) treated with abiraterone are at increased risk of respiratory disorders 3.
  • Upper respiratory tract infections are a common challenge in ambulatory medicine, and effective evaluation involves identification of the dominant set of patient symptoms leading to accurate diagnosis 4.
  • The management of acute upper respiratory tract infection aims toward symptom alleviation and prevention of virus transmission, with early intervention being highly effective in reducing symptom severity and viral transmission 5.
  • There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest a causal relationship between Zytiga (Abiraterone) use and upper respiratory tract infections, but patients treated with abiraterone may be at increased risk of respiratory disorders due to their age or other factors 3.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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