What Xofigo® Is Used For
The treatment of patients with castrate-resistant prostate cancer that has spread to bones with symptoms, but not to other parts of the body.
- Castrate-resistant prostate cancer is prostate cancer that is resistant to medical or surgical treatments that lower testosterone.
Benefits of Xofigo®
According to a clinical trial, as compared to the placebo group, Xofigo® therapy may:
- significantly prolong overall survival.
- delay symptomatic skeletal events:
- decrease the incidence of bone fractures.
- significantly prolong the time to first opioid use.
- improve quality of life during the treatment of Xofigo®.
Side effects of Xofigo®
Xofigo® is taken up by other organs, especially by the bone marrow and gastrointestinal system, which may result in the side effects of other normal tissues.
The most common adverse effects include:
diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, swelling of the lower legs and hands (i.e., peripheral edema), and low blood counts.
How Xofigo® Is Given
- Before the first administration, your health care professional will perform blood work to make sure your blood counts are within normal limits, and to ascertain that you are safe for the subsequent Xofigo® administration.
- Xofigo® is given through a vein (intravenously, IV), as a slow intravenous injection, over about 1 minute. It is given once every 4 weeks for a maximum of 6 doses.
- It is given in a clinic or facility. You may go home right after the injection and there is no need to stay at the radiation isolation ward. You can maintain your normal daily lives as usual.
- During the treatment period, you may carry out normal social activities such as work, travel, etc., and you can use public transportation.
Precautions
- Always inform your health care provider if you experience any unusual symptoms, such as:
unusual bleeding or bruising, frequent common colds, fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, dry mouth, polydipsia, burning urination (dysuria), etc.
- Sufficient fluid intake.