Abiraterone

• Wearing light clothing, and staying in a cool environment may reduce these symptoms.
• Inform your doctor if these symptoms affect you significantly.

• Drink plenty of clear fluids (at least 2 litres or 8 cups every day).
• Eat food that is gentler on the stomach such as porridge or soup.
• Avoid milk, dairy products, high-fibre food and oily or spicy food.
• Your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve diarrhoea. Take these as instructed.
• Proceed to the A&E Department immediately if you have very bad diarrhoea (for example increase in bowel movement of more than 4 times per day) that does not improve even after taking anti-diarrhoeal medications.

• Mild pain can be relieved by taking Paracetamol.
• Inform your doctor if the pain is not better.
• Do not take Paracetamol if you are having a fever at the same time.
• Taking regular warm baths may help

Increase in blood pressure 

• If your blood pressure is very high, you may have headache, dizziness or blurry eyesight.

• Inform your doctor if you have such symptoms of increase in blood pressure frequently.
• If you have been prescribed with high blood pressure medications, continue to take your medications regularly as instructed.
• Your doctor may adjust your blood pressure medications if needed.
• If you have a blood pressure monitoring machine at home, measure your blood pressure at the same time(s) every day and record it in a book. Bring it for your future appointments.

This medication may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). 

Symptoms of low blood sugar are weakness, dizziness, hunger, sweating, trembling, blurred vision, walking unsteadily or fast heartbeat.

• Blood sugar levels often return to baseline upon stopping Prednisolone.
• For diabetic patients, you will need to monitor your blood sugar regularly.
• Inform your doctor if you experience symptoms of high blood sugar levels e.g. feeling thirstier than usual or passing urine more frequently.

Prednisolone may cause insomnia. 

Take the tablets early in the day to avoid difficulty sleeping at night.

You may have your cholesterol level checked before starting Abiraterone, and periodically after starting Abiraterone.   

Your doctor may prescribe medications to control your cholesterol levels if required.

Proceed to the A&E department immediately if you experience any: 

• Dark or tea-coloured urine
• Pale or light-coloured stools
• Yellowing of skin or eyes
• Nausea, vomiting with loss of appetite
• Severe abdominal pain

Fluid retention 

• Swelling of ankles and legs due to fluid build-up
• You may notice some painless swelling at the lower legs or unusual weight gain.

• Taking the Prednisolone tablets may help to prevent this.
• For mild leg swelling, resting your  legs onto a foot stool, cushion or pillow may help to improve blood flow and reduce the swelling.
• Inform your doctor if this symptom is severe or bothering you.

• Maintain sufficient calcium and vitamin D intake.
• Your doctor will monitor your bone density and prescribe medications to strengthen your bone when required.

Symptoms of drug allergy including one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you need to go into hospital for any reason other than cancer, always inform the doctors and nurses that you are receiving anti-cancer treatment.

Talk to your cancer doctor if you think you need dental treatment. Always inform your dentist that you are receiving anti-cancer treatment.

It is normal to feel fearful or worried about your condition.

Do not be afraid to share your concerns with your healthcare team or loved ones.

There may be resources and support available to help you.