Medically Reviewed and Compiled by Dr. Adam N. Khan, MD.

Quick Summary

Abiraterone (brand name Zytiga) is a pill used to treat prostate cancer. It works by stopping the body from making the hormones that help cancer grow. In 2026, doctors use it for both advanced cancer and cases where the cancer is high-risk but has not yet spread. It is almost always taken with a small dose of a steroid like prednisone to prevent side effects.

What is Abiraterone?

Abiraterone is a type of hormone therapy. To understand how it works, you first need to know how prostate cancer grows. Most prostate cancer cells “feed” on male hormones called androgens, like testosterone.

In the past, doctors used surgery or basic shots to lower testosterone. However, the body is clever and can still make small amounts of these hormones in other places, like the adrenal glands or even inside the cancer cells themselves. Abiraterone is powerful because it shuts down hormone production in all three places: the testes, the adrenal glands, and the tumor.

New Updates for 2026

As of early 2026, medical guidelines have expanded. For a long time, this drug was only for men whose cancer had spread to the bones or other organs (metastatic cancer).

Now, major health systems like the NHS have approved abiraterone for men with “high-risk” prostate cancer that is still localized. This means if your doctor thinks your cancer is likely to spread soon based on your PSA levels or Gleason score, you might start abiraterone much earlier than patients did a few years ago.

How Do You Take It?

Taking this medicine correctly is very important for it to work.

On an Empty Stomach: You must take abiraterone at least one hour before eating or two hours after eating. Food can change how much medicine your body absorbs, which can be dangerous.

Daily Routine: Most people take it once a day at the same time.
The Steroid Connection: You will also take a steroid pill (prednisone or prednisolone). This is not for the cancer itself. It is to replace hormones that abiraterone accidentally blocks, which helps keep your blood pressure and potassium levels safe.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

Most men handle abiraterone well, but like any strong medicine, it has side effects. Because it lowers testosterone, you might feel:

Hot flashes
Feeling very tired (fatigue)
Joint pain or swelling

Because of how the drug works in the body, your doctor will also check you for:

High Blood Pressure: Your heart has to work a bit harder.
Fluid Retention: You might notice swelling in your legs or ankles.
Low Potassium: This can make you feel weak or cause heart flutters.

Abiraterone vs. Enzalutamide

You might hear about another drug called Enzalutamide. Both are excellent. In 2026, research shows that both drugs work about the same for many patients.

The choice usually comes down to your health history. For example, if you have a history of seizures, your doctor might prefer abiraterone. If you have heart or liver issues, they might look at other options. Since abiraterone is now available as a “generic” (unbranded) drug, it is often more affordable than it used to be.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are considering this treatment, here are a few things to ask at your next visit:

Is my cancer considered “high-risk” or “metastatic”?
How often will I need blood tests to check my liver and potassium?
Are there any other medicines I take that might interfere with this drug?
What should I do if I accidentally eat right before taking my pill?