Casodex
Generic Name: Bicalutamide
Brand Name: Casodex
Indications
Bicalutamide is indicated together with another hormone to treat prostate cancer. Bicalutamide is an anti-androgen. It works in the body by preventing the actions of androgens (male hormones).
Dosage and Administration
Casodex is available for oral administration as 50mg tablets.
Normal Dosage: recommended dosage for Casodex therapy in combination with an LHRH analogue is one 50 mg tablet once daily (morning or evening), with or without food. It is recommended that Casodex be taken at the same time each day. Treatment with Casodex should be started at the same time as treatment with an LHRH analogue.
Overdose: An overdose of Casodex is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.
Drug Description
The chemical name is propanamide, N-[4-cyano-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-,(+-). The structural and empirical formulas are:
Bicalutamide has a molecular weight of 430.37. The pKa' is approximately 12. Bicalutamide is a fine white to off-white powder which is practically insoluble in water at 37° C (5 mg per 1000 mL), slightly soluble in chloroform and absolute ethanol, sparingly soluble in methanol, and soluble in acetone and tetrahydrofuran.
Casodex is a racemate with its antiandrogenic activity being almost exclusively exhibited by the R-enantiomer of bicalutamide; the S-enantiomer is essentially inactive.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- chest pain;
- cough or trouble breathing;
- feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
- swelling in your hands or feet;
- blood in your urine; or
- nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
- hot flashes;
- breast pain or swelling;
- weakness;
- back pain, pelvic pain, joint or muscle pain;
- increased night-time urination;
- stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
- diarrhea or constipation;
- weight changes;
- impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an orgasm;
- dizziness, headache; or
- sore throat, runny nose or other symptoms of cold..
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
Precautions
- To be sure Casodex is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your prostate and liver function will need to be checked with blood tests on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or any other serious illness. You may not be able to take bicalutamide, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
- Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, blood in your urine, or stomach pain with loss of appetite, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or eyes.
- Casodex should never be taken by a woman or a child. Although Casodex is not for use by women, this medication can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy.
- Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using bicalutamide.
Drug Interactions
Before taking Casodex, tell your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).
There may be other medicines that can interact with Casodex. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
