Apalutamide is a prescription medicine. The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.
- Type
- Prescription only (Rx)
- Brand names
- Erleada
- Taken
- Oral
- Label
- Janssen Products, LP, revised July 2, 2026 · full label on DailyMed
- Generic
- FDA-approved (1 company) · details
What it is used for
ERLEADA is indicated for the treatment of patients with Metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) Non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (nmCRPC) ERLEADA is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer. ( 1 ) non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. ( 1 )
Forms and strengths
Tablets: 240 mg: bluish grey to grey, oval, film-coated and debossed with "E240" on one side. 60 mg: slightly yellowish to greyish green, oblong, film-coated and debossed with "AR 60" on one side. Tablets: 240 mg ( 3 ) Tablets: 60 mg ( 3 )
Who should not take it (contraindications)
None. ( 4 ) None.
Warnings and precautions
Cerebrovascular and ischemic cardiovascular events occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA. Monitor for signs and symptoms of cerebrovascular disorders and ischemic heart disease. Optimize management of cardiovascular risk factors. ( 5.1 ). Fractures occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA. Evaluate patients for fracture risk and treat patients with bone-targeted agents according to established guidelines. ( 5.2 ) Falls occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA with increased incidence in the elderly. Evaluate patients for fall risk. ( 5.3 ) Seizure occurred in 0.4% of patients receiving ERLEADA. Permanently discontinue ERLEADA in patients who develop a seizure during treatment. ( 5.4 ) Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN) and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), occurred in patients treated with ERLEADA. Interrupt ERLEADA if signs or symptoms of SCARs develop. Permanently discontinue if SCARs are confirmed. ( 5.5 ) Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/pneumonitis occurred in patients treated with ERLEADA. Withhold ERLEADA for suspected ILD/pneumonitis. Permanently discontinue ERLEADA in patients with severe ILD/pneumonitis or if no other potential causes of ILD/pneumonitis are identified. ( 2.2 , 5.6 ) Embryo-Fetal Toxicity: ERLEADA can cause fetal harm. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception. ( 5.7 , 8.1 , 8.3 ) Interference with Immunoassay Measurement of Digoxin: ERLEADA can interfere with certain digoxin immunoassays, resulting in falsely elevated digoxin plasma concentration results. ( 5.8 , 7.3 )
5.1 Cerebrovascular and Ischemic Cardiovascular Events Cerebrovascular and ischemic cardiovascular events, including events leading to death, occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA. Monitor for signs and symptoms of ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disorders. Optimize management of cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. Consider discontinuation of ERLEADA for Grade 3 and 4 events. In a randomized study (SPARTAN) of patients with nmCRPC, ischemic cardiovascular events occurred in 3.7% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 2% of patients treated with placebo. In a randomized study (TITAN) in patients with mCSPC, ischemic cardiovascular events occurred in 4.4% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 1.5% of patients treated with placebo. Across the SPARTAN and TITAN studies, 4 patients (0.3%) treated with ERLEADA, and 2 patients (0.2%) treated with placebo died from an ischemic cardiovascular event. In the SPARTAN study, cerebrovascular events occurred in 2.5% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 1% of patients treated with placebo [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . In the TITAN study, cerebrovascular events occurred in 1.9% of patients treated with ERLEADA and 2.1% of patients treated with placebo. Across the SPARTAN and TITAN studies, 3 patients (0.2%) treated with ERLEADA, and 2 patients (0.2%) treated with placebo died from a cerebrovascular event. Patients with history of unstable angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, stroke, or transient ischemic attack within six months of randomization were excluded from the SPARTAN and TITAN studies.
5.2 Fractures Fractures occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA. Evaluate patients for fracture risk. Monitor and manage patients at risk for fractures according to established treatment guidelines and consider use of bone-targeted agents. In a randomized study (SPARTAN) of patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, fractures occurred in 12% of patients treated with ERLEADA and in 7% of patients treated with placebo. Grade 3–4 fractures occurred in 2.7% of patients treated with ERLEADA and in 0.8% of patients treated with placebo. The median time to onset of fracture was 314 days (range: 20 to 953 days) for patients treated with ERLEADA. Routine bone density assessment and treatment of osteoporosis with bone-targeted agents were not performed in the SPARTAN study. In a randomized study (TITAN) of patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer, fractures occurred in 9% of patients treated with ERLEADA and in 6% of patients treated with placebo. Grade 3–4 fractures were similar in both arms at 1.5%. The median time to onset of fracture was 56 days (range: 2 to 111 days) for patients treated with ERLEADA. Routine bone density assessment and treatment of osteoporosis with bone-targeted agents were not performed in the TITAN study.
5.3 Falls Falls occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA with increased frequency in the elderly [see Use in Specific Populations (8.5) ] . Evaluate patients for fall risk. In a randomized study (SPARTAN), falls occurred in 16% of patients treated with ERLEADA compared to 9% of patients treated with placebo. Falls were not associated with loss of consciousness or seizure.
5.4 Seizure Seizure occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA. Permanently discontinue ERLEADA in patients who develop a seizure during treatment. It is unknown whether anti-epileptic medications will prevent seizures with ERLEADA. Advise patients of the risk of developing a seizure while receiving ERLEADA and of engaging in any activity where sudden loss of consciousness could cause harm to themselves or others. In two randomized studies (SPARTAN and TITAN), five patients (0.4%) treated with ERLEADA and one patient treated with placebo (0.1%) experienced a seizure. Seizure occurred from 159 to 650 days after initiation of ERLEADA. Patients with a history of seizure, predisposing factors for seizure, or receiving drugs known to decrease the seizure threshold or to induce seizure were excluded. There is no clinical experience in re-administering ERLEADA to patients who experienced a seizure.
5.5 Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions Fatal and life-threatening cases of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS/TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), occurred in patients receiving ERLEADA [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Monitor patients for the development of SCARs. Advise patients of the signs and symptoms of SCARs (e.g., a prodrome of fever, flu-like symptoms, mucosal lesions, progressive skin rash, or lymphadenopathy). If a SCAR is suspected, interrupt ERLEADA until the etiology of the reaction has been determined. Consultation with a dermatologist is recommended. If a SCAR is confirmed, or for other grade 4 skin reactions, permanently discontinue ERLEADA [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] .
5.6 Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)/Pneumonitis Fatal and life-threatening interstitial lung disease (ILD) or pneumonitis can occur in patients treated with ERLEADA. Post-marketing cases of ILD/pneumonitis, including fatal cases, occurred in patients treated with ERLEADA. Across clinical trials (TITAN and SPARTAN, n=1327), 0.8% of patients treated with ERLEADA experienced ILD/pneumonitis, including 0.2% who experienced Grade 3 events [see Adverse Reactions (6.1 , 6.2) ]. Monitor patients for new or worsening symptoms indicative of ILD/pneumonitis (e.g., dyspnea, cough, fever). Immediately withhold ERLEADA if ILD/pneumonitis is suspected. Permanently discontinue ERLEADA in patients with severe ILD/pneumonitis or if no other potential causes of ILD/pneumonitis are identified [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] .
5.7 Embryo-Fetal Toxicity The safety and efficacy of ERLEADA have not been established in females. Based on findings from animals and its mechanism of action, ERLEADA can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy when administered to a pregnant female. […]
Side effects (adverse reactions)
The following are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling: Cerebrovascular and Ischemic Cardiovascular Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Fractures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Falls [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Seizure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] . Severe Cutaneous Adverse Reactions (SCARs) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] . Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] . The most common adverse reactions (≥10%) are fatigue, arthralgia, rash, decreased appetite, fall, weight decreased, hypertension, hot flush, diarrhea, and fracture. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Janssen Products, LP at 1-800-526-7736 (1-800-JANSSEN) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
6.1 Clinical Trial Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The most common adverse reactions (≥ 10%) that occurred more frequently in the ERLEADA-treated patients (≥ 2% over placebo) from the randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials (TITAN and SPARTAN) were fatigue, arthralgia, rash, decreased appetite, fall, weight decreased, hypertension, hot flush, diarrhea, and fracture. Metastatic Castration-sensitive Prostate Cancer (mCSPC) TITAN, a randomized (1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical study, enrolled patients who had mCSPC. In this study, patients received either ERLEADA at a dose of 240 mg daily or placebo. All patients in the TITAN study received a concomitant gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog or had prior bilateral orchiectomy. The median duration of exposure was 20 months (range: 0 to 34 months) in patients who received ERLEADA and 18 months (range: 0.1 to 34 months) in patients who received placebo. Ten patients (1.9%) who were treated with ERLEADA died from adverse reactions. The reasons for death were ischemic cardiovascular events (n=3), acute kidney injury (n=2), cardio-respiratory arrest (n=1), sudden cardiac death (n=1), respiratory failure (n=1), cerebrovascular accident (n=1), and large intestinal ulcer perforation (n=1). ERLEADA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 8% of patients, most commonly from rash (2.3%). Adverse reactions leading to dose interruption or reduction of ERLEADA occurred in 23% of patients; the most frequent (>1%) were rash, fatigue, and hypertension. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 20% of ERLEADA-treated patients and 20% in patients receiving placebo. Table 1 shows adverse reactions occurring in ≥10% on the ERLEADA arm in TITAN that occurred with a ≥2% absolute increase in frequency compared to placebo. Table 2 shows laboratory abnormalities that occurred in ≥15% of patients, and more frequently (>5%) in the ERLEADA arm compared to placebo. Table 1: Adverse Reactions in TITAN (mCSPC) ERLEADA N=524 Placebo N=527 System/Organ Class Adverse reaction All Grades % Grade 3–4 % All Grades % Grade 3–4 % Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Arthralgia Per the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Reactions (CTCAE), the highest severity for these events is Grade 3. 17 0.4 15
0.9 Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Rash Includes rash, rash maculo-papular, rash generalized, urticaria, rash pruritic, rash macular, conjunctivitis, erythema multiforme, rash papular, skin exfoliation, genital rash, rash erythematous, stomatitis, drug eruption, lichenoid eruption, mouth ulceration, rash pustular, blister, papule, pemphigoid, skin erosion, dermatitis, and rash vesicular. 28 6 9
0.6 Pruritus 11 0.2 4.6
0.2 Vascular disorders Hot flush 23 0 16 0 Hypertension 18 8 16 9 Additional adverse reactions of interest occurring in less than 10% of patients treated with ERLEADA included diarrhea (9% versus 6% on placebo), muscle spasm (3.1% versus 1.9% on placebo), dysgeusia (3.2% versus 0.6% on placebo), hypothyroidism (3.6% versus 0.6% on placebo), and ILD/pneumonitis (1.1% versus 0.4% on placebo). Table 2: Laboratory Abnormalities Occurring in ≥ 15% of ERLEADA-Treated Patients and at a Higher Incidence than Placebo (Between Arm Difference > 5% All Grades) in TITAN (mCSPC) ERLEADA N=524 Placebo N=527 Laboratory Abnormality All Grades % Grade 3–4 % All Grades % Grade 3–4 % Hematology White blood cell decreased 27 0.4 19
0.6 Chemistry Hypertriglyceridemia Does not reflect fasting values. 17 2.5 12
2.3 Non-metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (nmCRPC) SPARTAN, a randomized (2:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical study, enrolled patients who had nmCRPC. In this study, patients received either ERLEADA at a dose of 240 mg daily or a placebo. All patients in the SPARTAN study received a concomitant gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog or had a bilateral orchiectomy. The median duration of exposure was 33 months (range: 0.1 to 75 months) in patients who received ERLEADA and 11 months (range: 0.1 to 37 months) in patients who received placebo. Twenty-four patients (3%) who were treated with ERLEADA died from adverse reactions. The reasons for death with ≥ 2 patients included infection (n=7), myocardial infarction (n=3), cerebrovascular event (n=2), and unknown reason (n=3). ERLEADA was discontinued due to adverse reactions in 11% of patients, most commonly from rash (3.2%). Adverse reactions leading to dose interruption or reduction of ERLEADA occurred in 33% of patients; the most common (>1%) were rash, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hypertension, and hematuria. Serious adverse reactions occurred in 25% of ERLEADA-treated patients and 23% in patients receiving placebo. The most frequent serious adverse reactions (>2%) were fracture (3.4%) in the ERLEADA arm and urinary retention (3.8%) in the placebo arm. Table 3 shows adverse reactions occurring in ≥10% on the ERLEADA arm in SPARTAN that occurred with a ≥2% absolute increase in frequency compared to placebo. Table 4 shows laboratory abnormalities that occurred in ≥15% of patients, and more frequently (>5%) in the ERLEADA arm compared to placebo. Table 3: Adverse Reactions in SPARTAN (nmCRPC) ERLEADA N=803 Placebo N=398 System/Organ Class Adverse reaction All Grades % Grade 3–4 % All Grades % Grade 3–4 % General disorders and administration site conditions Fatigue Includes fatigue and asthenia. , Per the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Reactions (CTCAE), the highest severity for these events is Grade 3. 39 1.4 28
0.3 Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Arthralgia 16 0 8 0 Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Rash Includes rash, rash maculo-papular, rash generalized, urticaria, rash pruritic, rash macular, conjunctivitis, erythema multiforme, rash papular, skin exfoliation, genital rash, rash erythematous, stomatitis, drug eruption, lichenoid eruption, mouth ulceration, rash pustular, blister, papule, pemphigoid, skin erosion, dermatitis, and rash vesicular. 25 5.2 6
0.3 Metabolism and nutrition disorders Decreased appetite Includes appetite disorder, decreased appetite, early satiety, and hypophagia. 12 0.1 9 0 Peripheral edema Includes peripheral edema, generalized edema, edema, edema genital, penile edema, peripheral swelling, scrotal edema, lymphedema, swelling, and localized edema. […]
Drug interactions
Concomitant use with medications that are sensitive substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, UGT, P-gp, BCRP, or OATP1B1 may result in loss of activity of these medications. ( 7.2 )
7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on ERLEADA Strong CYP2C8 or CYP3A4 Inhibitors Reduce the ERLEADA dose as recommended for adverse reactions [see Dosage and Administration (2.2) ] . Co-administration of a strong CYP2C8 or CYP3A4 inhibitor is predicted to increase the steady-state exposure of the active moieties (sum of unbound apalutamide plus the potency-adjusted unbound N-desmethyl-apalutamide).
7.2 Effect of ERLEADA on Other Drugs Substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, P-gp, BCRP, or OATP1B1 Refer to the Prescribing Information for these substrates. Consider alternative agents when possible or evaluate for loss of activity of the substrate if concomitant use cannot be avoided. Apalutamide is a strong inducer of CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, a weak inducer of CYP2C9, and an inducer of P-gp, BCRP, and OATP1B1. Apalutamide decreases exposure of substrates of CYP3A4, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, P-gp, BCRP, or OATP1B1 [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] , which may decrease the effectiveness of these substrates.
7.3 Laboratory Test Interference ERLEADA can interfere with certain digoxin immunoassays (e.g., Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassays), resulting in falsely elevated digoxin plasma concentration results. Notify the laboratory conducting the digoxin plasma concentration assay to use an appropriate method in patients receiving ERLEADA and digoxin [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] .
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and older adults
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary The safety and efficacy of ERLEADA have not been established in females. Based on findings from animals and its mechanism of action, ERLEADA can cause fetal harm and loss of pregnancy when administered to a pregnant female [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ] . There are no available data on ERLEADA use in pregnant women to inform a drug-associated risk. In an animal reproduction study, oral administration of apalutamide to pregnant rats during and after organogenesis resulted in fetal abnormalities and embryo-fetal lethality at maternal exposures ≥ 2 times the human clinical exposure (AUC) at the recommended dose (see Data ) . Data Animal Data In a pilot embryo-fetal developmental toxicity study in rats, apalutamide caused developmental toxicity when administered at oral doses of 25, 50 or 100 mg/kg/day throughout and after the period of organogenesis (gestational days 6–20). Findings included embryo-fetal lethality (resorptions) at doses ≥50 mg/kg/day, decreased fetal anogenital distance, misshapen pituitary gland, and skeletal variations (unossified phalanges, supernumerary short thoracolumbar rib(s), and small, incomplete ossification, and/or misshapen hyoid bone) at ≥25 mg/kg/day. A dose of 100 mg/kg/day caused maternal toxicity. The doses tested in rats resulted in systemic exposures (AUC) approximately 2, 4 and 6 times, respectively, the AUC in patients.
8.2 Lactation Risk Summary The safety and efficacy of ERLEADA have not been established in females. There are no data on the presence of apalutamide or its metabolites in human milk, the effect on the breastfed child, or the effect on milk production.
8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Contraception Males Based on the mechanism of action and findings in an animal reproduction study, advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 3 months after the last dose of ERLEADA [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . Infertility Males Based on animal studies, ERLEADA may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] .
8.4 Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness of ERLEADA in pediatric patients have not been established.
8.5 Geriatric Use Of the 1327 patients who received ERLEADA in clinical studies, 19% of patients were less than 65 years, 41% of patients were 65 years to 74 years, and 40% were 75 years and over. No overall differences in effectiveness were observed between older and younger patients. Of patients treated with ERLEADA (n=1073), Grade 3–4 adverse reactions occurred in 39% of patients younger than 65 years, 41% of patients 65–74 years, and 49% of patients 75 years or older. Falls in patients receiving ERLEADA with androgen deprivation therapy was elevated in the elderly, occurring in 8% of patients younger than 65 years, 10% of patients 65–74 years, and 19% of patients 75 years or older.
8.6 Hepatic Impairment The recommended ERLEADA dosage in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C) is lower than the recommended dosage in patients with normal hepatic function [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) ] . No dosage modification is recommended for patients with mild (Child-Pugh A) or moderate (Child-Pugh B) hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
How it works
Apalutamide is an Androgen Receptor (AR) inhibitor that binds directly to the ligand-binding domain of the AR. Apalutamide inhibits AR nuclear translocation, inhibits DNA binding, and impedes AR-mediated transcription. A major metabolite, N-desmethyl apalutamide, is a less potent inhibitor of AR, and exhibited one-third the activity of apalutamide in an in vitro transcriptional reporter assay. Apalutamide administration caused decreased tumor cell proliferation and increased apoptosis leading to decreased tumor volume in mouse xenograft models of prostate cancer.
Is there a generic Apalutamide?
Yes. The FDA has approved generic Apalutamide from 1 company, and the approval is active. The earliest of these was approved in 2025.
An FDA approval does not always mean the generic is already in pharmacies: patent disputes and settlements can delay a launch for years. Your pharmacist can tell you whether a generic is actually available and covered by your plan.
The FDA rates these generics as therapeutically equivalent to the brand ("A" rating): same active ingredient, strength, dosage form and effect. Pharmacists can usually substitute them unless the prescriber says otherwise.
Companies with an approved generic
Zydus Lifesciences
Brand-name versions
- Erleada Janssen Biotech, approved 2018
Source: Drugs@FDA (via openFDA), checked October 29, 2026. Marketing status is what companies report to the FDA; whether a pharmacy stocks a product, and what your insurance covers, can differ.
Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.
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Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID d1cda4f7-cb33-46ea-b9ac-431f6452b1a5.