Let's take a minute to talk about your medication. 

This is Zytiga. It helps to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. Zytiga is taken with another medicine called "prednisone". 

Zytiga is often taken once a day at the same time each day. You should take it exactly how your doctor tells you to. You should take it on an empty stomach. This means take it either one hour before a meal or two hours after a meal. You should swallow the tablets whole, with water, and never crush or chew them. 

It is common to have side effects with this medicine, such as a headache, nausea, diarrhea, a cough and symptoms of a cold. You could also feel tired or have hot flushes, joint pain, or swelling in your legs and feet. It is important to tell your doctor if you have these effects, so he or she can manage them. Your doctor will watch for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist. 

As with any medicine, rare but serious side effects could occur. You should read the patient information sheet to know which symptoms to watch for and when to report changes. To help keep this medicine safe for you, your doctor will follow your condition closely and will order blood tests. 

Zytiga can interact with other medicines. You should always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking other medicines.

Men who are sexually active must talk to their doctors about special safety precautions that are required, and for how long. Women who can become pregnant should not touch Zytiga tablets without gloves.

For best results with Zytiga, ask about support services for patients that are available.