Bicalutamide
Drug Info
Generic Name: Bicalutamide (bye-kah-LOO-tah-mide)
Brand Name: Casodex
Bicalutamide is used for:
Treating prostate cancer.Bicalutamide is intended for use with
other medicines. It may be used for conditions as determined
by your doctor.
Bicalutamide is a nonsteroidal antiandrogen. It works by blocking
the action of testosterone.
Do NOT use Bicalutamide if:
you are allergic to any ingredient in Bicalutamide
you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any
of these apply to you.
Before using Bicalutamide :
Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions,
especially if any of the following apply to you:
if you are a woman
if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation,
or dietary supplement
if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
if you have liver disease
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Bicalutamide . Tell your health
care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially
any of the following:
Oral anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) because the risk of side
effects, including bleeding, may be increased
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may
occur. Ask your health care provider if Bicalutamide may interact
with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care
provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Bicalutamide :
Use Bicalutamide as directed by your doctor. Check the label
on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
Take Bicalutamide by mouth with or without food.
Take Bicalutamide with your other prostate cancer medicine at the same time
each day.
If you miss a dose of Bicalutamide , take it as soon as possible. If it is
almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular
dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about
how to use Bicalutamide .
Important safety information:
Bicalutamide may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse
if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Bicalutamide
with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks
until you know how you react to it.
Bicalutamide may cause constipation or diarrhea. If you experience either
constipation or diarrhea, ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a treatment
for you.
Lab tests, including liver function tests and prostate-specific antigen (PSA),
may be performed while you use Bicalutamide . These tests may be used to monitor
your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab
appointments.
Use Bicalutamide with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive
to its effects.
Bicalutamide should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in
children have not been confirmed.
PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Bicalutamide if you are pregnant.
Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant,
contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Bicalutamide is found in
breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Bicalutamide . Possible side effects of Bicalutamide :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no,
or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these
most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Abnormal skin sensations; anxiety; arthritis; back pain; bone
pain; breast growth or pain; bronchitis; constipation; decreased
sexual ability; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; frequent urination;
gas; hot flashes; impotence; increased cough; indigestion; infection;
loss of bladder control; muscle weakness; nausea; pain; pelvic
pain; rash; runny nose; sleeplessness; sore throat; sweating;
urinary retention; weakness; weight change.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side
effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty
breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face,
lips, or tongue); chest pain; dark urine; difficulty breathing;
flu-like symptoms; loss of appetite; muscle aches; nausea; pneumonia;
stomach pain; tenderness of the right upper quadrant; tiredness;
vomiting; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur.
If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects,
contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side
effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control
Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm),
or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Bicalutamide :
Store Bicalutamide at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees
F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store
away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep Bicalutamide out of the reach of children and away from
pets.
General information:
If you have any questions about Bicalutamide , please talk
with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Bicalutamide is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed.
Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your
doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all
information about Bicalutamide . If you have questions about
the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check
with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. |