@donnelson, I included this discussion in the Cancer group as well as Men's Health. I'd like to ask @alanr to join this discussion. I believe Zytiga was recommended for him as well and he may have experiences to share.

I've had no replies. Perhaps Zytega is that new.

donnelson, I'm still hopeful that @alanr will join this discussion about ZYTIGA® (abiraterone acetate).

@donnelson beyond price, what questions do you have about the drug? Has your oncologist recommended it for you?

Zytiga has just recently approved and it is expensive, perhaps even more than the above writer suggested. Up until recently it was only approved for Mastastisis castrate resistant cancer but now it can be used as hormone treatment. I'm not sure if it will be used in conjunction with Lupron injections or instead of. I understand it has to be taken daily, perhaps as many as 4 pills. Predisone also needs to be taken with it. I have'nt heard anything about side affects. I'm on Lupron for now and it has beeen keeping PSA low, ie less than 1. My doc says Lupron does become castrate resistant in 2-5 years, Ive been on it for 18 months. If PSA starts to go up I will then have to decide if I want to take Zytiga. If any of you hear, or know, anything more please keep us posted.

For additional info on Zytiga go to Janssen Biotech web site they are the manufacturer and they have some good details and will also send you info packet.

Thank you. I ahave never taken a drug that is as expensive as Zytiga. Several of my urologists tell me that there are other choices. So far no movement. You are the only one I've contacted that ever has heard of Zytiga.

Johnson & Johnson Foundation program helps with expense of Zytiga.
http://jjpaf.org/apply/
http://www.jjpaf.org/medications/

Like Gay has suggested there are some foundations that can help with payments. Toward the end of last year when I first considered Zytiga I did some research and gathered a list of resources to check. However, since I have elected to postpone that option I never followed up on it. One good thing is that zytiga is now FDA approved for early stage hormone treament and some insurance may pay for part of it. I'm fortunate that my insurance, a supplement to my Medicare, does pay for the Lupron injections I receive at a clinic every 6 months. That cost, at least what the clinic bills is $28,000+. I do know that Zytiga is more expensive and not sure how agreeable insurance will be to pay. I did read that the company which developed Zytiga sold the rights , perhaps it was Johnson & Johnson for two billion $. J&J must be quite happy to see the drug approved for pre castrate resistant purposes which opens the door to far more patients. Donnelson, which type of medication are you now taking ? Zytiga does sound like a creditable option. Hope all continues favorably with your issue.

I'm on Lupron (2 shots, down),bicalutamide,and trospium Chloride

Did your doc prescribe a specific number of Lupon injections? My doc seemed to think I may be taking these semi-annual shots forever, He did allow a possible evaluation if my PSA becomes undetectable or if it goes the the other way and some escalated approach would be necessary. When we first started the lupron shots 18 months ago Zytiga wasn't even discussed. That didn't come up until 6-7 months ago. Hope all going well wiyh you.

Thanks for the information. I'm doing some more tests next week and visit the gynecologist on the 15th, Wonder what type of advance plan Zytiga has?

Let us know the type of tests and what the results show. Do hope all shows encouraging results.