What are the common side effects of enzalutamide/enzalutamide?

Enzalutamide/Enzalutamide (Enzalutamide) is an oral androgen receptor antagonist widely used in the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and high-risk localized prostate cancer. Although enzalutamide has achieved significant clinical efficacy, like other drugs, it may also be accompanied by some side effects during use. Understanding these side effects can help patients and doctors prepare for them during treatment and minimize the impact of adverse reactions on quality of life.

Common side effects of enzalutamide include musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, hot flashes, constipation, decreased appetite, diarrhea, high blood pressure, bleeding, falls, fractures, and headaches. Most of these side effects occur early in treatment or during the early stages of drug use. Musculoskeletal pain is often accompanied by changes in bone density, and fatigue may affect patients' daily activities, becoming a challenge that many prostate cancer patients need to face during treatment. Constipation and diarrhea may affect the digestive system, thereby affecting the patient's nutritional status. Because enzalutamide may cause hypertension, patients need to monitor their blood pressure regularly while taking the drug, especially those with a preexisting history of hypertension. In addition, bleeding, falls and fractures may be related to the effects of drugs on the skeletal system. Especially for patients who take drugs for a long time, the risk of fractures is more prominent.

Although the above-mentioned side effects are mild to moderate in most patients, more serious side effects have occurred after enzalutamide was marketed, such as allergic reactions, severe skin adverse reactions, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), and dysgeusia. Therefore, doctors will adjust dosage and treatment regimens based on the patient's specific condition and response to treatment. During treatment with enzalutamide, patients need to regularly review blood routine, liver and kidney function, electrocardiogram, etc. to detect and deal with possible side effects in a timely manner.

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