Faqs

XTANDI frequently asked questions

You may have questions about XTANDI® (enzalutamide). Scroll down to find the answers to some frequently asked questions.

The generic name for XTANDI is enzalutamide.

XTANDI is a prescription medicine used to treat men with prostate cancer that:

  • no longer responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone
    OR
  • has spread to other parts of the body and responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone
    OR
  • has not spread to other parts of the body and responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone, and who are at high risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body

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

See how XTANDI may help.

Advanced prostate cancer is defined as prostate cancer that has progressed and that may be able to be treated, but is unlikely to be cured. Learn more clinical terms here.

Advanced prostate cancer may spread to other parts of the body from the prostate. It could spread to lymph nodes, bones, or other nearby or distant tissues.

In laboratory studies, XTANDI helps decrease how often androgen can connect with an androgen receptor. As a result, XTANDI can slow cancer cell growth and the cancer cells may die. See how XTANDI works.

ARIs are a type of novel hormone therapy (NHT). ARIs decrease how often androgens like testosterone connect with an androgen receptor, and thereby may slow the growth of prostate cancer tumors and cells. See how XTANDI works.

XTANDI is an androgen receptor inhibitor; it is not chemotherapy. Androgens are a group of hormones that include testosterone. XTANDI helps decrease how often androgen can connect with an androgen receptor. As a result, XTANDI can slow cancer cell growth and the cancer cells may die. See how XTANDI works.

Patient results vary. Data from our clinical trials can be a good place to learn what results may be expected.

If your prostate cancer has not spread to other parts of your body and responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone, and you are at high risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body, your doctor may prescribe XTANDI with or without ADT.

XTANDI is not available at your local pharmacy. Your doctor may be able to fill your prescription in their office, or they can send it to a specialty pharmacy that will mail XTANDI right to your home. Learn more.

  • Take XTANDI exactly as your healthcare provider tells you.
  • Take your prescribed dose of XTANDI 1 time a day, at the same time each day.
  • Your healthcare provider may change your dose if needed.
  • Do not change or stop taking your prescribed dose of XTANDI without talking with your healthcare provider first.
  • XTANDI can be taken with or without food.
  • Swallow XTANDI capsules or tablets whole. Do not chew, dissolve, or open the capsules. Do not cut, crush, or chew the tablets.
  • If you are receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) therapy, you should continue with this treatment during your treatment with XTANDI unless you have had a surgery to lower the amount of testosterone in your body (surgical castration).
  • If you miss a dose of XTANDI, take your prescribed dose as soon as you remember that day. If you miss your daily dose, take your prescribed dose at your regular time the next day. Do not take more than your prescribed dose of XTANDI each day.

If you take too much XTANDI, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away. You may have an increased risk of seizure if you take too much XTANDI. See how to take XTANDI.

Every treatment plan is different—ask your doctor how long XTANDI will be part of your regimen. Do not change or stop taking your prescribed dose of XTANDI without talking with your doctor first.

Your doctor may recommend a medication holiday. This means you may take a break from your treatment. The length of your break will be determined by your doctor.

Take your medication as prescribed by your doctor.

XTANDI comes in both capsule and tablet formulations. Capsules are available in 40 mg capsules only. Smaller-sized tablets are available in 2 dosage strengths: 40 mg and 80 mg tablets, giving you more options to meet your daily dose.

The recommended dose of XTANDI is 160 mg, taken once a day. However, your prescribed dosage may vary.

XTANDI tablets are free of animal products and do not contain gelatin.

XTANDI can be taken with or without food. See how to take XTANDI.

Consuming alcohol may increase your risk of certain side effects. Discuss your lifestyle and potential side effects with your doctor before taking XTANDI.

The most serious side effects of XTANDI include:

  • Seizure
  • Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES)
  • Allergic reactions
  • Heart disease
  • Falls and bone fractures

The most common side effects of XTANDI include:

  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Feeling more tired than usual
  • Hot flashes
  • Constipation
  • Decreased appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • High blood pressure
  • Bleeding problems
  • Falls
  • Bone fractures
  • Headache

The monthly cost of XTANDI depends on your health insurance coverage. For patients covered under Medicare Part D, XTANDI prescription costs may be lower. Depending on insurance plans and other factors, the cost of XTANDI may differ from person to person. Eligible patients can pay as little as $0 per prescription, depending on what type of coverage they have. To see if you are eligible for financial assistance, call XTANDI Support Solutions at 1-855-8XTANDI (1-855-898-2634) to learn more.

It may—99% of Medicare Part D patients are covered for XTANDI. Call XTANDI Support Solutions at 1-855-8XTANDI (1-855-898-2634) to learn more.

There are also changes to help the costs of your Medicare prescriptions starting in 2025. First, you will not have to pay more than $2,000 a year in out-of-pocket costs for all of your medicines.

Second, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP) is a new program that will make it easier to pay for your medicines by letting you spread your out-of-pocket costs into monthly payments.

For more information, contact XTANDI Support Solutions® at 1-855-8XTANDI (1-855-898-2634) to check eligibility and see what other options may be available to you. Learn more about XTANDI Support Solutions.

Select Safety Information

XTANDI may cause fertility problems in males, which may affect the ability to father children. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about fertility. These are not all the possible side effects of XTANDI. For more information, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Learn more

Learn more about XTANDI

Real people, real stories

Hear firsthand from men who are taking XTANDI

When to ask your doctor about XTANDI

Learn how XTANDI may fit into your treatment goals

Patient resources

Helpful XTANDI resources for patients and caregivers