Zytiga (abiraterone acetate) is a prescription drug that treats certain types of prostate cancer. Zytiga can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include tiredness, joint discomfort, and high blood pressure.

Specifically, Zytiga is used together with prednisone in adults to treat:

  • metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)
  • metastatic high risk castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC)

The active ingredient in Zytiga is abiraterone acetate. The drug comes as an oral tablet.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Zytiga can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Zytiga treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

The following sections include more side effects of Zytiga. Each person’s experience with side effects may differ.

Mild side effects have been reported with Zytiga. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be managed easily. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Zytiga unless your doctor recommends it.

Zytiga may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Zytiga. Some are more common, while others are rare.

More common serious side effects include:

Rare serious side effects include the following. You can learn about these in the “Side effects explained” section.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Zytiga, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911. Or call your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Zytiga, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Zytiga can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Zytiga.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911. Or call your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

Your doctor can confirm whether you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Zytiga. If so, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Zytiga.

Warnings

Zytiga can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors also may affect whether Zytiga is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Zytiga. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Zytiga’s side effects.

Does Zytiga cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. Long-term side effects include those that may start at any time you’re taking a drug, even if you’ve taken it for a long time. This also includes side effects that may not go away, even after you stop taking the drug.

Examples of long-term side effects reported in Zytiga’s studies include:

See the “Side effects explained” section to learn more about heart problems and liver problems.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about possible side effects of Zytiga and how long they may last.

How do side effects of Zytiga compare to those seen with Lupron?

Zytiga and Lupron both treat certain types of prostate cancer. Doctors also prescribe Lupron to treat endometriosis and uterine fibroids.

The active ingredient in each medication is different, and they work in different ways to treat prostate cancer. Because of this, the side effects of each drug may be different.

However, a few side effects are similar between Zytiga and Lupron. These include headache, edema, and upper respiratory infection.

To learn more about how the side effects of Zytiga and Lupron compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Zytiga cause side effects involving the kidneys?

Yes, it can. In studies, some people experienced various kidney problems. These included more frequent urination, nighttime urination, and bloody urine.

If you develop any of these symptoms or have concerns about these risks, talk with your doctor.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Zytiga treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Zytiga affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Learn more about some of the side effects Zytiga may cause.

Heart problems

Zytiga can cause serious heart problems. These may include arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythm) and cardiac arrest (when your heart stops beating).

With these heart problems, you may experience symptoms such as:

  • chest pain
  • heart palpitations
  • shortness of breath
  • fainting
  • dizziness

What might help

If you have a history of heart problems, tell your doctor before you start Zytiga. They can help determine whether it’s safe for you to take.

You and your doctor may decide to start Zytiga treatment. If so, your doctor may monitor your blood pressure and electrolyte levels closely during treatment.

If you develop any of the symptoms of heart problems listed above, tell your doctor right away.

Adrenal problems

Taking Zytiga and prednisone can cause adrenal problems. (Keep in mind that Zytiga is used with prednisone to treat certain types of prostate cancer.) The risk is higher if you:

  • stop taking prednisone
  • have your prednisone dose lowered
  • are under stress
  • develop an infection

Symptoms of adrenal problems include:

  • weight loss
  • muscle weakness
  • tiredness that lasts a long time
  • loss of appetite
  • stomach pain

What might help

Let your doctor know if you’re in or know you’ll be in a stressful situation. They may increase your dosage of prednisone while you’re stressed and for some time after. This may help lower the risk of adrenal problems.

Throughout Zytiga treatment, your doctor will likely monitor you closely for symptoms of adrenal problems. If you develop any of the symptoms listed above, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely order tests to determine whether your adrenal glands are working properly.

Liver problems

Zytiga can increase your risk of liver problems, including liver failure. In the drug’s studies, increased liver enzyme levels were common. And they typically occurred during the first 3 months of treatment.

Symptoms of liver problems may include:

What might help

Your doctor will order liver function tests before and during Zytiga treatment, especially during the first 3 months. If you develop symptoms of liver problems (listed above), tell your doctor right away. They may lower your dose of Zytiga or have you stop taking the drug entirely.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.