Why is Yonsa taken with methylprednisolone?

Drugs.com

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Yonsa (abiraterone acetate) is a medication used to treat metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) - prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to other treatments that lower testosterone.

Yonsa is a CYP17 inhibitor and a type of hormone therapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with oral methylprednisolone, which is a corticosteroid like prednisone, but slightly stronger.

Yonsa is used in combination with methylprednisolone because methylprednisolone helps to prevent some of the side effects caused by Yonsa.

CYP17 inhibitors, such as Yonsa, block androgen biosynthesis and glucocorticoid production. Decreased levels of the key glucocorticoid cortisol increase adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release, which can cause the adrenal glands to increase mineralocorticoid production. Mineralocorticoid excess can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), hypokalemia (low potassium) and fluid retention.

Taking Yonsa in combination with the corticosteroid methylprednisolone can help prevent the hypertension, hypokalemia and fluid retention that can result from treatment with the drug.

Related medical questions

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Popular Keywords