Jul
26
Bicalutamide
July 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment
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.
Jul
26
Betaine
July 26, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Generic Name
Betaine (BEE-lane)
Brand Name Cystadane
Type of Drug Homocysteine antagonist.
Prescribed For Homocysteinuria.
General Information
Homocysteinuria is a group of 3 disorders of the metabolism characterized by too much homocysteine in the blood and urine. People with this problem tend to have skeletal problems, problems with the lens of the eye, and blood-clotting problems that can cause chest pain or heart attack. Virtually all people treated with betaine experience a decrease of homocysteine in their blood. When used together with other homocysteinuria treatments, including folate and vitamins Bl;, and B., betaine’s effect has been additive to those treatments. Betaine starts working in several days and has been used for several years with no loss of effect. Most patients treated with betaine have been children. The effects of homocysteinuria can be devastating in children and include developmental problems, lethargy, seizures, and eye problems.
Cautions and Warnings None known.
Possible Side Effects
Side effects, which are uncommon, include nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, choking if the powder is inhaled, and bad odors. Reported psychological changes from betaine are questionable.
Drug Interactions
None known. Betaine has been used successfully together with to-late and vitamins 1312 and B6.
Food Interactions
Betaine should be taken with food.
Usual Dose
Adult and Child: 3 g twice a day. Dosage for children under age 3 may be started at about 45 mg per 1b. a day and then increased in weekly 45-mg steps. Dosage should be increased in all patients until homocysteine is either undetectable in the blood or present in small amounts; doses up to 20 g a day have been required. Carefully measure all doses with the scoop provided. Each level scoopful is equal to 1 g of betaine.
Overdosage
Little is known about the effects of betaine overdose. People have been safely and successfully treated at doses up to 20 g a day. Call your poison control center or a hospital emergency room for more information. If you go to a hospital emergency room, ALWAYS bring the prescription bottle or container.
Special Information
Shake the bottle lightly before removing the cap to loosen the powder. Protect the powder from moisture.
Mix each dose with 4-6 oz. of water until it dissolves completely, then drink it at once.
Do not use the product if the final solution is either not clear or colored, or if the powder does not completely dissolve.
If you forget a dose, 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. Tell your doctor about any missed doses.
Special Populations
PreSRdiAr-Yf8TeaSWeeding: The safety of using betaine during pregnancy is unknown. This drug should only be used during pregnancy if it is absolutely necessary.
It is not known if betaine passes into breast milk. Nursing mothers who must take this drug should use infant formula.
Seniors: Seniors may use this drug without special precaution.