Pronunciation: BYE-ka-LOO-ta-mide
Generic Name: Bicalutamide
Brand Name: Casodex
Casodex is used for:
Treating prostate cancer. Casodex is used in combination with a luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) analog (eg, goserelin, leuprolide). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Casodex is a nonsteroidal antiandrogen. It works by blocking the action of testosterone.
Do NOT use Casodex if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Casodex
- you are a woman
- you are pregnant, planning to or may become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Casodex:
Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- 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 problems or diabetes
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Casodex. 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
- Midazolam because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Casodex.
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Casodex 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 Casodex:
Use Casodex as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Casodex. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take Casodex by mouth with or without food.
- Take Casodex with your other prostate cancer medicine at the same time each day.
- If you miss a dose of Casodex, 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 Casodex.
Important safety information:
- Casodex may cause drowsiness or dizzinesss. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Casodex with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Serious and sometimes fatal liver problems have rarely occurred in patients who take Casodex. Symptoms of liver problems may include dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, pale stools, stomach pain, tiredness, vomiting, weakness, or yellowing of the eyes or skin. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Casodex may cause constipation or diarrhea. If you experience either constipation or diarrhea, ask your doctor or pharmacist to recommend a treatment for you.
- Diabetes patients - When used with LHRH analogs (eg, goserelin, leuprolide), Casodex may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
- Lab tests, including liver function, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and blood sugar levels, may be performed while you use Casodex. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Casodex with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Casodex should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Casodex is not approved for use in women. Do not use Casodex if you are pregnant. It may cause harm to the fetus. 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 Casodex is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Casodex.
Possible side effects of Casodex:
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:
Back, pelvic, stomach, or general body pain; constipation; decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; dizziness; frequent urination, especially at night; gas; headache; hot flashes; nausea; stomach upset; sweating; trouble sleeping; weakness.
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; difficulty swallowing; unusual hoarseness); black or bloody stools; blurred vision or other vision changes; bone pain; breast growth or pain; changes in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; dark or bloody urine; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; flu-like symptoms; increased hunger, thirst, or urination; joint pain, stiffness, or swelling; loss of appetite; mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, depression); muscle aches or weakness; numbness or tingling of the skin; pale stools; severe or persistent cough; severe or persistent dizziness, drowsiness, or headache; severe or persistent nausea or stomach pain; shortness of breath; swelling of the ankles, legs, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; weight change; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Casodex side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Casodex:
Store Casodex 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 Casodex out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Casodex, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Casodex 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.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Casodex. 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.
More Casodex resources
- Casodex Side Effects (in more detail)
- Casodex Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Casodex Drug Interactions
- Casodex Support Group
- 5 Reviews for Casodex - Add your own review/rating
- Casodex Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Casodex Consumer Overview
- Casodex Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Casodex Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Bicalutamide Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Bicalutamide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Casodex with other medications
- Prostate Cancer
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