Bicalutamide Medication - Uses & Side Effects

GENERIC NAME: bicalutamide

Pronunciation: bye ka LOO ta mide

BRAND NAME: Casodex

Bicalutamide is an antiandrogen. It works in the body by preventing the actions of androgens (male hormones). Bicalutamide has a molecular weight of 430.37. It belongs to a class of drugs called anti-androgens which includes flutamide (Eulexin) and nilutamide (Nilandron).Prostate cancer depends on the male hormone, testosterone, to grow. Bicalutamide (Casodex) is a type of hormonal therapy that is used in the treatment of prostate cancer. It was first launched in 1995 as a combination treatment (with surgical or medical castration ) for advanced prostate cancer and subsequently launched as monotherapy for the treatment of earlier stages of the disease. Bicalutamide is not indicated for use by women. It may be used to treat conditions as determined by your doctor, which may not be listed in the professional package insert. It is a tablet that you take by mouth. The tablet contains lactose. Bicalutamide may be taken with food or on an empty stomach with a glass of water or juice.

Bicalutamide Dosage:

• Casodex is a tablet, which is taken once a day.
• Bicalutamide is recommended 50 mg once daily in combination with an LHRH analogue or surgical castration.
• It is available in two different strengths: 50mg and 150mg.
• It may be taken with or without food. Once bicalutamide therapy has begun, it should not be interrupted or stopped without consulting a physician.

Uses of Bicalutamide:

• Casodex may be used to treat prostate cancer that has begun to spread into the tissues around the prostate gland (locally advanced).
• It may be used to treat conditions as determined by your doctor, which may not be listed in the professional package insert.
• It can either be given on its own or after surgery or radiotherapy.
• It slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body. Casodex may be given in combination with injections of another type of hormonal-therapy drug (called pituitary downregulators) such as goserelin , buserelin , triptorelin or leuprorelin .

Side Effects of Bicalutamide:

Many people have very few side effects with Casodex, while others may experience more. The following side effects of Baclofen may includes:

• Hot flashes.
• Breast swelling, pain, or tenderness.
• Impotence.
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Loss of bladder control.
• Increased cough.
• Nausea.
• Pain in the upper right part of the stomach.
• Diarrhea.
• Constipation.
• Frequent urination.
• Hot flashes.
• Flu-like symptoms.

Warnings and precautions before taking Bicalutamide:

• Do not use Bicalutamide if you are allergic to any ingredient in Bicalutamide.
• Do not have any vaccinations (e.g., measles or flu shots) without talking to your doctor.
• Do not use Bicalutamide if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
• You should know that this drug may stop sperm production. However, you should not assume that you cannot get someone else pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bicalutamide or any other drugs.
• If at any time a patient has jaundice, or their ALT rises above two times the upper limit of normal, casodex should be immediately discontinued with close follow-up of liver function.
• Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor.

Drug Interaction:

• Clinical studies with bicalutamide have not demonstrated any drug/drug interactions with LHRH analogues.
• There is no evidence of hepatic enzyme induction in patients receiving a daily dose of 150 mg.
• Bicalutamide may interact with warfarin (Coumadin). Therefore, the dose of Coumadin may need to be adjusted.
• It is recommended that if Casodex is started in patients already receiving coumarin anticoagulants, prothrombin times should be closely monitored and adjustment of the anticoagulant dose may be necessary.

Overdosage:

• After taking Bicalutamide, If you feel that overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately.
• In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
• Symptoms of an overdose considered to be life-threatening has not been established.
• If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
• Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.
• There is no specific antidote; treatment of an overdose should be symptomatic.