Enzalutamide

Generic name: enzalutamide [ ENZ-a-LOOT-a-mide ]
Brand name: Xtandi
Dosage forms: oral capsule (40 mg); oral tablet (40 mg; 80 mg)
Drug classes:Antiandrogens, Hormones / antineoplastics

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Mar 2, 2022.

What is enzalutamide?

Enzalutamide is a prescription medicine used to treat prostate cancer in men who have received surgery or hormone therapy to lower testosterone.

Enzalutamide is sometimes used when the cancer no longer responds to treatment, but has not spread to other parts of the body.

Enzalutamide is also used when the cancer has responded to treatment and has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

It is not known if enzalutamide is safe and effective in children or females.

Warnings

Although not for use by women, enzalutamide can cause birth defects if the mother or the father is taking this medicine. Use a condom and one other form of birth control to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine, and for at least 3 months after your last dose.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use enzalutamide if you are allergic to it.

To make sure enzalutamide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a seizure;

• a head injury, stroke, or brain tumor;

• heart disease, circulation problems;

• high blood pressure;

• diabetes; or

• high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood).

Enzalutamide can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects, even if the father is taking this medicine.

• If your sex partner is pregnant, always use a condom during sex.

• If your sex partner could become pregnant, use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy. Keep using birth control for at least 3 months after you stop taking enzalutamide.

• Tell your doctor at once if a pregnancy occurs while you are taking this morning.

Although this medicine is not for use by women, enzalutamide should not be taken by a woman who is breastfeeding a baby.

How should I take enzalutamide?

Take enzalutamide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.

Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.

You may need to take 2 to 4 tablets at a time to get a full dose.

Swallow the enzalutamide pill whole. Do not break, chew, or crush a tablet. Do do not chew, open, or dissolve a capsule.

Use all medications as directed and read all medication gui...