Dosage Details for Provenge

This section describes the usual dosage of Provenge.

What is Provenge’s form?

Provenge comes as an (IV) infusion given by a healthcare professional in a doctor’s office or infusion center.

What strength does Provenge come in?

Provenge is an immunotherapy made from the immune cells in your blood. Your immune cells are collected through a process called leukapheresis (see “How is Provenge given?” below to learn more). These immune cells are then sent to a lab where they’re mixed with a certain protein that gets your body ready to fight prostate cancer.

These modified immune cells are made specifically for you, so there’s not a certain prescribed strength. But the dose you receive will contain at least 50 million of these mixed cells.

What’s the usual dosage of Provenge?

Below is information on the Provenge dosage most commonly used or recommended. But your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for prostate cancer

Provenge is used only for prostate cancer that’s spread to other areas of the body and hasn’t been successfully treated by lowering your testosterone levels. The typical Provenge dosage for adults with prostate cancer and few to no symptoms is one infusion approximately every 2 weeks.

Each infusion is given over the course of about an hour by a healthcare professional in a doctor’s office or infusion center. If you experience side effects, the infusion rate may be slowed or paused.

Once you’ve received three doses, you’ve completed your Provenge treatment course.

Is Provenge used long term?

No, Provenge is not usually a long-term treatment. It’s typically given as three IV infusions.

Provenge is an immunotherapy made from the immune cells in your own blood.

About 3 days before you’re scheduled for a dose of Provenge, you’ll have a separate appointment for leukapheresis. This procedure extracts immune cells from your blood and usually lasts 2–4 hours. These cells are sent to the drug manufacturer’s lab.

Once your immune cells are received in the lab, they’re mixed with a certain protein that gets your body ready to fight prostate cancer. These modified immune cells are made specifically for you. The lab then sends your modified immune cells directly to your doctor who will give you your Provenge infusion.

Thirty minutes before you’re scheduled to receive your Provenge infusion, you’ll be given oral doses of acetaminophen and diphenhydramine to help prevent side effects. If you experience side effects despite these medications, the infusion rate may be slowed or paused completely.

Your Provenge dose will be given via IV infusion over the course of approximately 60 minutes. Your doctor will likely keep you in the facility for 30 minutes after the infusion ends to monitor you for side effects.

To learn more about leukapheresis or the process of how Provenge is given, check out the videos on the drug manufacturer’s website.

If you’ve missed or think you’ll miss an appointment to receive a Provenge infusion, call your doctor’s office right away. You’ll also need to schedule another leukapheresis appointment in addition to the appointment for your dose of Provenge.

If you need help remembering your appointments, try downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Provenge’s dosage.

Is Provenge’s dosage similar to that of Zytiga?

Provenge and Zytiga (abiraterone acetate) are prescribed for prostate cancer that’s spread to other areas of your body and hasn’t responded to reduced testosterone levels. But the forms and dosage of the two drugs differ.

Provenge is given as an IV infusion. You’ll receive three total doses, each given about 2 weeks apart. Provenge is made from your own immune cells.

Zytiga comes as an oral tablet and is typically taken once per day. Zytiga is usually prescribed in combination with prednisone.

Your doctor will prescribe the drug(s) and the dosage that’s right for you. Talk with them to learn more about how these drugs compare.

How long does it take for Provenge to start working?

Provenge starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel it working in your body, but you may experience side effects. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to be sure the drug is effectively treating your condition. Talk with them if you have other questions about what to expect with Provenge.

The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by the manufacturer of Provenge. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Talk with them if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage. Examples of questions you may want to ask include:

• Can I continue to take chemotherapy drugs while receiving Provenge IV infusions?
• Can I receive more than three Provenge infusions?
• If I experience side effects after leaving the infusion facility, how should I manage them?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.