Jul
26
Bicalutamide
July 26, 2009 |
Generic Name
Bicalutamide (bye-kal-UTE-uh-mide)
Brand tjSMb Casodex
The information in this profile also applies to the following drug:
Generic Ingredient: Nilutamide Nilandron
Type of Drug Antiandrogen.
Prescribed For Prostate cancer.
General Information
Antiandrogens are prescribed together with another hormone product for prostate cancer. Bicalutamide competes with testosterone and other natural androgens (male hormones) by binding to the same places in body tissue where androgens normally bind. Prostate cancer is androgen sensitive and responds to treatments that counteract the effects of androgen or remove the sources of androgen.
Cautions and Warnings
Do not take this drug if you are allergic or sensitive to it or any of its ingredients.
People taking this medication may develop severe liver injury. People with liver disease may be at greater risk for serious side effects.
Almost 40% of men taking bicalutamide as single therapy for prostate cancer develop breast pain and enlargement. Bicalutamide may also reduce sperm count.
Two of every 100 people taking nilutamide develop interstitial pneumonitis (symptoms include cough, chest pain, fever, and breathing difficulties). People with lung disease and Asians may be at greater risk. Report any breathing difficulty or worsening of pre-existing breathing difficulty to your doctor immediately.
Isolated cases of aplastic anemia (a potentially fatal blood disorder) have been reported in people taking nilutamide, but the relationship between the drug and the disease is not established.
Possible Side Effects
♦ Most common’. hot dashes, hot flushes, general pain, headache, weakness, back pain, nausea, constipation, sleeplessness, breathing difficulties, and swollen breasts. Nilutamide–difficulty seeing in the dark and loss of testicle function.
V Common: diarrhea and pelvic pain.
Possible Side Effects (continued)
♦ Less common: vomiting, abdominal pains, chest pain, flu-like symptoms, high blood pressure, swelling in the ankles or lower legs, high blood sugar, weight loss, dizziness, tingling in the hands or feet, sweating, rash, nighttime urination, blood in the urine, urinary or other infection, loss of libido, impotence, breast pain, painful urination, anemia, and bone pain.
♦ Rare: Rare side effects can occur in almost any part of the body. Contact your doctor if you experience any side effect not listed above.
Drug Interactions
• Bicalutamide and nilutamide increase the effect of oral anticoagulant (blood-thinning) drugs such as warfarin. Dosage adjustment may be necessary.
• Nilutamide may increase the risk of the potentially serious side effects of phenytoin, theophylline, or vitamin K antagonists.
Food Interactions
None known. Usual Dose
Bicalutamide
Adult: 50 mg once a day, morning or night.
Nilutamide
Adult: 300 mg a day, reduced to 150 mg a day after 30 days.
Overdosage
Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, vomiting, tiredness, headache and dizziness. Overdose victims should be taken to a hospital emergency room. ALWAYS bring the presc6pktm bottle or container,
Special Information
Report anything unusual to your doctor, especially pain or tenderness in the upper right abdomen, yellowing of skin or whites of eyes, severe itching, dark urine, persistent appetite loss, and unexplained flu-like symptoms. These may be signs of severe liver toxicity. Also report any breathing difficulties, cough, chest pain,
orfever.
Up to half of people taking nilutamide can take from a few sec-
onds to a few minutes to adapt to darkness. This can be a problem especially when driving at night or through tunnels. Wearing tinted glasses will minimize this effect.
Up to 5% of people taking nilutamide may experience intolerance to alcohol. Symptoms include flushing, tiredness, and lightheadedness. If you experience this reaction, you should avoid alcohol.
Bicalutamide should be taken at the same time each day for best results. If you forget a dose of bicalutamide, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you forgot and continue with your regular schedule. Call your doctor if you forget to take more than 1 dose.
Special Populations
PregnancylBreast-feeding: Antiandrogens are not intended for use by women.
Seniors: Seniors may take this drug without special precaution.