Azel 40mg (Enzalutamide) Capsules

Azel 40mg contains enzalutamide 40mg, an androgen receptor inhibitor used in specific prostate cancer treatment settings. The medicine blocks androgen receptor signaling, which can slow the growth of prostate cancer cells. Therefore, enzalutamide forms part of hormone-based treatment for selected patients with prostate cancer.

What Is Azel 40mg?

Azel 40mg is an oral capsule containing enzalutamide 40mg. The medicine belongs to a class called androgen receptor inhibitors.

Enzalutamide blocks several steps in androgen receptor signaling. As a result, prostate cancer cells receive less stimulation from androgen hormones.

Because prostate cancer can depend on androgen signaling, blocking this pathway may slow cancer growth. Consequently, doctors use enzalutamide in selected prostate cancer treatment settings.

What Is Enzalutamide?

Enzalutamide is an androgen receptor inhibitor used to treat certain types of prostate cancer.

The medicine does not directly remove testosterone from the body. Instead, it interferes with the way androgen hormones activate their receptor.

In addition, enzalutamide can inhibit androgen receptor movement into the cell nucleus. This action further reduces androgen-dependent signaling.

What Is Enzalutamide Used For?

Enzalutamide is used to treat certain prostate cancers.

Current U.S. labeling includes:

• Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)
• Metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC)
• Non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer with biochemical recurrence at high risk for metastasis (high-risk BCR)

Therefore, the medicine can be used at different stages of prostate cancer depending on the patient’s disease status and treatment history. Current U.S. labeling lists these three indications.

Enzalutamide for Prostate Cancer

Enzalutamide prostate cancer treatment focuses on blocking androgen receptor signaling.

Androgens can stimulate prostate cancer cells. However, some cancer cells continue to use androgen signaling even when testosterone levels are already reduced.

Enzalutamide helps address this pathway by directly interfering with androgen receptor activity. As a result, cancer cell growth can slow in appropriate patients.

What Is Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer?

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) continues to grow despite treatment designed to reduce androgen levels.

At this stage, cancer cells can adapt to very low androgen concentrations. Consequently, doctors may use medicines such as enzalutamide to block androgen receptor signaling.

The choice of treatment depends on disease location, previous therapy, symptoms, laboratory findings, and overall health.

What Is Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer?

Metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) has spread beyond the prostate but still responds to androgen-deprivation treatment.

Enzalutamide can form part of treatment for this disease state. Current U.S. labeling states that patients receiving enzalutamide for mCSPC should also receive a GnRH analog or have undergone bilateral orchiectomy.

Enzalutamide Mechanism of Action

Enzalutamide mechanism of action involves inhibition of androgen receptor signaling.

First, enzalutamide competes with androgen hormones for binding to the androgen receptor. Next, it interferes with the movement of the receptor into the cell nucleus.

Furthermore, enzalutamide reduces androgen receptor interaction with DNA. These combined actions decrease androgen-dependent gene signaling.

As a result, enzalutamide can reduce the growth and survival signals available to certain prostate cancer cells.

Enzalutamide 40mg Composition

• Active ingredient: Enzalutamide
• Strength: 40mg per capsule
• Drug class: Androgen receptor inhibitor
• Dosage form: Oral capsule
• Product shown: Azel 40mg
• Manufacturer shown: Dr. Reddy’s

The image shows Azel 40mg capsules containing enzalutamide. The specific international product shown here should be distinguished from U.S.-approved enzalutamide brands and products.

Enzalutamide 160mg Dose

Enzalutamide 160mg once daily is the current U.S. recommended total dose for the approved indications.

The pictured Azel product contains 40mg per capsule. Therefore, the 40mg strength does not mean that 40mg once daily is the standard adult dose.

For the approved U.S. indications, current labeling recommends 160mg once daily with or without food. Patients with CRPC or mCSPC should also receive appropriate androgen-deprivation therapy unless they have had bilateral orchiectomy.

Do not calculate or change your personal dose from this information. An oncologist should determine the correct regimen.

How To Take Enzalutamide

• Take enzalutamide exactly as prescribed.
• Take the medicine once daily unless your doctor gives different instructions.
• You may take it with or without food.
• Swallow capsules whole with sufficient water.
• Do not open, chew, dissolve, or crush the capsules.
• Try to take the medicine at approximately the same time each day.

Current U.S. labeling specifically instructs patients to swallow the capsules whole. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Consistent use helps maintain the planned treatment schedule. If you have difficulty taking the medicine correctly, contact your pharmacist or oncology team.

Enzalutamide Side Effects

Enzalutamide side effects can affect energy levels, muscles, bones, the nervous system, and other parts of the body.

Possible side effects include:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Hot flashes
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Sleep difficulties
• Anxiety

Some patients may also experience weakness, numbness, tingling, or difficulty concentrating. MedlinePlus lists these effects among possible reactions to enzalutamide.

Serious Enzalutamide Side Effects

Most adverse effects can be managed with medical supervision. However, certain reactions require urgent attention.

Seek immediate medical care for:

• Seizure or loss of consciousness
• Severe headache with confusion or vision changes
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Severe allergic swelling
• Serious falls or fractures
• Severe weakness or neurological changes

Enzalutamide carries important warnings for seizures, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), hypersensitivity, ischemic heart disease, and falls or fractures.

Enzalutamide and Seizures

Seizures are an important but uncommon risk of enzalutamide.

The risk may be higher in patients with certain predisposing conditions. For example, a history of seizures, brain injury, stroke, or brain abnormalities may require special consideration.

Therefore, tell your doctor about any neurological history before starting treatment.

If a seizure occurs during treatment, current U.S. labeling recommends permanently discontinuing XTANDI.

Enzalutamide and PRES

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, or PRES, is a rare neurological condition.

Symptoms may include headache, confusion, seizures, and vision changes. Consequently, these symptoms require urgent medical evaluation.

Current U.S. labeling recommends discontinuing XTANDI when PRES occurs.

Enzalutamide and Falls and Fractures

Enzalutamide treatment can increase the risk of falls and fractures.

Older adults and patients with weak bones may need particular attention. Therefore, your healthcare team may assess fracture risk and recommend appropriate bone-health measures.

Fall prevention can also become important during long-term treatment.

Enzalutamide and Heart Disease

Enzalutamide labeling includes a warning about ischemic heart disease.

Tell your doctor if you have coronary artery disease, previous heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other cardiovascular risk factors.

Importantly, your healthcare professional should manage cardiovascular risk factors throughout treatment.

Enzalutamide and Hormone Therapy

Enzalutamide may form part of androgen-deprivation therapy for certain prostate cancers.

Patients with CRPC or mCSPC generally continue a GnRH analog or must have undergone bilateral orchiectomy under current U.S. labeling.

In contrast, patients with high-risk biochemical recurrence and nmCSPC may receive enzalutamide with or without a GnRH analog.

Enzalutamide and Leuprolide

Leuprolide is a GnRH agonist that reduces testosterone production.

Doctors may use leuprolide together with enzalutamide in appropriate prostate cancer treatment plans.

However, patients should not start or stop either medicine without medical guidance.

Enzalutamide and Degarelix

Degarelix is a GnRH antagonist used for androgen deprivation.

Some patients receiving enzalutamide may also receive a GnRH medicine such as degarelix. The exact combination depends on the treatment plan.

Enzalutamide and Abiraterone

Abiraterone and enzalutamide affect androgen signaling through different mechanisms.

Abiraterone reduces androgen production by inhibiting CYP17. Enzalutamide, meanwhile, blocks androgen receptor signaling.

Both medicines can play important roles in advanced prostate cancer. Nevertheless, they are not interchangeable, and treatment selection should come from an oncologist.

Enzalutamide vs Abiraterone

Neither option is automatically better for every patient. Instead, the oncology team considers disease status, previous treatments, other medical conditions, potential interactions, and patient preferences.

Enzalutamide vs Apalutamide

Apalutamide and enzalutamide are both androgen receptor inhibitors.

They share some pharmacologic characteristics, but their approved indications, clinical evidence, dosing, and safety profiles differ.

Therefore, patients should not substitute apalutamide for enzalutamide without specialist guidance.

Enzalutamide vs Darolutamide

Darolutamide and enzalutamide are both androgen receptor inhibitors used in prostate cancer treatment.

Darolutamide has different pharmacologic properties and a different interaction profile. Consequently, doctors may prefer one option based on the patient’s clinical situation.

Enzalutamide and Docetaxel

Docetaxel is a chemotherapy medicine, while enzalutamide is a targeted hormonal therapy.

Some patients with advanced prostate cancer may receive both types of treatment at different points. The sequence depends on disease status and the complete treatment plan.

Never combine cancer medicines without specialist supervision.

Enzalutamide and Cabazitaxel

Cabazitaxel is another chemotherapy medicine used in selected advanced prostate cancer settings.

It differs from enzalutamide because it directly affects microtubule function rather than blocking androgen receptor signaling.

Doctors select treatment according to previous therapy, disease progression, performance status, and other factors.

Enzalutamide and Olaparib

Olaparib is a PARP inhibitor used in selected cancers with particular molecular characteristics.

Some prostate cancers may qualify for PARP inhibitor treatment based on genetic or molecular findings. Therefore, treatment selection may require tumor or germline testing.

Enzalutamide and olaparib should not be considered interchangeable treatments.

Enzalutamide and Pluvicto

Pluvicto is a radioligand therapy used in selected advanced prostate cancer patients.

Its use depends on specific disease and imaging criteria. Consequently, it represents a different treatment approach from enzalutamide.

Enzalutamide Drug Interactions

Enzalutamide can affect the metabolism of many medicines. Therefore, provide your doctor and pharmacist with a complete list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and supplements.

Important interaction categories include:

• Strong CYP2C8 inhibitors
• Strong CYP3A4 inducers
• Certain CYP3A4 substrates
• CYP2C9 substrates
• CYP2C19 substrates
• Warfarin
• St. John’s wort

Current U.S. labeling recommends avoiding strong CYP2C8 inhibitors and strong CYP3A4 inducers when possible. If unavoidable, the dose may require adjustment.

Enzalutamide and Warfarin

Warfarin has a narrow therapeutic range and can interact with enzalutamide.

Enzalutamide can reduce exposure to certain CYP2C9 substrates, including warfarin. Therefore, patients using warfarin may require additional INR monitoring.

Never adjust warfarin or enzalutamide without medical advice.

Enzalutamide and St. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort can interact with enzalutamide.

The herbal product can alter drug metabolism. As a result, it may affect enzalutamide exposure or the effectiveness of other medicines.

Tell your doctor before using any herbal supplement during treatment. MedlinePlus specifically identifies St. John’s wort as an interaction concern.

Enzalutamide and Pregnancy

Enzalutamide can harm a developing fetus. Therefore, women who are pregnant or could become pregnant should not handle enzalutamide capsules.

Patients should follow the contraception and reproductive-health instructions provided by their healthcare professional.

Current U.S. labeling includes embryo-fetal toxicity as an important warning.

Enzalutamide and Fertility

Enzalutamide may affect male fertility.

Patients who could father a child should discuss contraception and reproductive planning with their healthcare professional.

Current patient information recommends effective contraception during treatment and for a specified period after the final dose when a partner could become pregnant.

Who Should Tell Their Doctor Before Taking Enzalutamide?

Tell your healthcare professional if you have:

• A history of seizures
• Brain injury
• Stroke
• Brain tumor or other neurological conditions
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Osteoporosis
• Previous fractures
• Swallowing difficulties

Also mention all current medicines and supplements. This information helps your healthcare team assess interaction and safety risks.

Enzalutamide and Driving

Enzalutamide can cause dizziness, fatigue, or other effects that may affect alertness.

Patients should understand how the medicine affects them before driving or operating machinery. In particular, anyone with a seizure risk should follow their doctor’s safety instructions carefully.

What Happens If You Miss an Enzalutamide Dose?

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember on the same day.

However, if you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose. Do not take more than one dose in a day or double the next dose.

Can You Stop Enzalutamide Suddenly?

Do not stop enzalutamide without speaking with your doctor.

Hormonal therapy can form an important part of prostate cancer treatment. Therefore, stopping treatment without guidance may affect disease control.

Your oncology team should determine whether treatment should continue, pause, reduce, or stop.

How Long Does Enzalutamide Treatment Last?

Treatment duration varies according to the disease and treatment response.

Current U.S. labeling recommends continuing enzalutamide until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity for the standard CRPC and mCSPC dosing approach.

For high-risk biochemical recurrence, current labeling also provides specific circumstances for treatment suspension and reinitiation based on PSA response.

Enzalutamide Price and Cost

Enzalutamide price can vary substantially by country, manufacturer, pharmacy, insurance coverage, quantity, and formulation.

The pictured Azel 40mg product should not be compared directly with the price of U.S. branded XTANDI or generic enzalutamide without checking the exact strength, quantity, manufacturer, and legal dispensing requirements.

Therefore, always verify the exact product before making a price comparison.

Enzalutamide Storage

• Keep the capsules in their original container.
• Store the medicine according to the product label.
• Protect the capsules from excessive heat and moisture.
• Keep the container tightly closed.
• Keep the medicine away from children.

Current U.S. XTANDI labeling specifies storage at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F), with permitted excursions between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F).

Frequently Asked Questions About Enzalutamide

What is enzalutamide?

Enzalutamide is an androgen receptor inhibitor used to treat certain prostate cancers.

What is enzalutamide used for?

Current U.S. labeling includes castration-resistant prostate cancer, metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer, and non-metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer with high-risk biochemical recurrence.

What is enzalutamide 40mg?

Enzalutamide 40mg refers to a capsule containing 40mg of enzalutamide. The current U.S. recommended total daily dose for approved indications is 160mg once daily.

What is the usual enzalutamide dose?

The current U.S. recommended dose is 160mg once daily with or without food. A 40mg capsule is one available strength, so multiple capsules may be required to reach the prescribed total dose.

What are enzalutamide side effects?

Possible effects include fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain, hot flashes, dizziness, headache, appetite changes, diarrhea, constipation, and sleep problems. Serious risks include seizures, PRES, heart problems, falls, and fractures.

Is enzalutamide chemotherapy?

No. Enzalutamide is an androgen receptor inhibitor rather than a traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy medicine.

Is enzalutamide the same as Xtandi?

Xtandi is a brand name for enzalutamide. The active ingredient is enzalutamide.

Is enzalutamide a hormone therapy?

Yes. Enzalutamide is generally considered an androgen-targeted hormone therapy because it blocks androgen receptor signaling.

Is enzalutamide the same as abiraterone?

No. Both target androgen signaling, but they work differently. Enzalutamide blocks the androgen receptor, while abiraterone reduces androgen production.

Is enzalutamide the same as apalutamide?

No. Both are androgen receptor inhibitors, but they are different medicines with different labeling, dosing, and clinical characteristics.

Can enzalutamide cause seizures?

Yes. Seizures are an uncommon but serious risk. Patients with neurological risk factors should discuss them with their healthcare professional before treatment.

Can enzalutamide be taken with food?

Yes. Current U.S. labeling allows enzalutamide to be taken with or without food.

Can enzalutamide cure prostate cancer?

Enzalutamide can help control certain prostate cancers, but it should not be described as a universal cure. Treatment goals depend on the cancer stage, disease response, and overall treatment plan.

Is Azel 40mg FDA approved?

The U.S. FDA has approved enzalutamide products, including 40mg dosage forms. However, that does not establish FDA approval for the specific international Azel 40mg product shown on this page. The exact brand and product should be verified separately.

U.S. Medical Information and References

For reliable medical information, use authoritative U.S. sources whenever possible.

• DailyMed – XTANDI (Enzalutamide)
  
• MedlinePlus – Enzalutamide
  
• FDA – XTANDI Prescribing Information
  
• FDA – Enzalutamide Approval Information
  

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Important Regulatory Information

Azel 40mg is an international branded product containing enzalutamide. Product registration, labeling, manufacturing authorization, dispensing requirements, and import rules can differ between countries.

U.S. regulatory references on this page describe FDA-approved enzalutamide products. They do not establish FDA approval for the specific Azel 40mg brand or packaging shown on this page.

For U.S. patients, prescription medicines should be obtained through lawful and licensed channels. Always verify the regulatory status, prescription requirements, and legal availability of the exact product.

Medical Disclaimer

This page provides general educational information only. It does not replace advice from an oncologist, doctor, pharmacist, or another qualified healthcare professional.

Enzalutamide is a prescription cancer medicine with potentially serious adverse effects. Seizures, neurological problems, heart-related events, falls, and fractures require appropriate medical attention.

Therefore, do not start, stop, change, or combine cancer medicines based only on information on this website. Always discuss your diagnosis, cancer stage, previous treatments, current medicines, laboratory results, and individual treatment plan with your healthcare professional.