Enzalutamide is an oral medicine used mainly to treat prostate cancer that no longer responds to lowering testosterone. It blocks the androgen receptor so cancer cells can’t use male hormones to grow. Doctors prescribe it for castration-resistant prostate cancer both when the disease has spread and in some earlier stages.
You take enzalutamide once a day as a pill. The usual dose is 160 mg daily, but your doctor may adjust this. Take it at the same time each day. You can take it with or without food. If you miss a pill, take it as soon as you remember unless it’s almost time for the next dose. Don’t double up.
Common side effects are tiredness, hot flashes, breast swelling or pain, nausea, constipation, and high blood pressure. Some people notice dizziness or a change in mood. There is a small risk of seizures, so tell your doctor if you have epilepsy, a recent head injury, or are taking medicines that raise seizure risk.
Enzalutamide interacts with many drugs. It usually speeds up how the liver breaks down other medicines. That can make some drugs less effective, including blood thinners, some antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs, and certain heart medicines. Always give your full medicine list to the team prescribing enzalutamide. Don’t start or stop other medicines without checking first.
Before treatment, your doctor may check liver function, blood pressure, and bone health. Bone health matters because prostate cancer and some treatments can weaken bones. Your team might order scans and monitor PSA levels to see if the drug is working. Keep regular appointments and report new symptoms right away.
Tips for living with enzalutamide: avoid driving or heavy machinery until you know how the drug affects you. Treat dizziness seriously—stand up slowly and sit if you feel faint. Manage constipation with more water, fiber, and activity, and ask about safe laxatives if needed. For tiredness, plan rest times and share tasks with family or friends.
If you’re taking blood thinners or have a history of seizures, work closely with specialists. If you’re worried about cost or access, ask the clinic about patient assistance programs or pharmacists who can help with options.
Enzalutamide is a powerful tool against advanced prostate cancer, but it needs careful use. Stay open with your healthcare team, follow monitoring plans, and report side effects early. That helps you get the most benefit while reducing risks.
Before you start, ask how long you’ll need treatment and what goals to expect: symptom relief, slowing spread, or lowering PSA. Ask about vaccine timing, travel, and driving limits. If you take other prescription or herbal supplements, bring labels to appointments. If side effects become hard to handle, don’t stop the drug on your own—call the clinic for advice. Some patients switch to a different therapy if enzalutamide causes trouble; options include abiraterone, chemotherapy, or clinical trials. Your team can explain trade offs between benefits, side effects, and costs. Keep a list of questions to discuss.
