Bicalutamide, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiandrogen; antineoplastic (anticancer)

Generic and brand names: bicalutamide, oral; Casodex

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat advanced prostate cancer. It is usually taken with another medicine. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• liver disease

This medicine may make you sterile (unable to have children), at least temporarily, whether you are a man or woman. If you plan to have children someday, talk with your healthcare provider before you start treatment.

Females of childbearing age: Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. This medicine has been reported to cause birth defects. Stop taking this medicine at the first sign that you may be pregnant and contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

How should I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. It should be started at the same time as the other medicine your healthcare provider will prescribe. This medicine is usually taken once a day. The second medicine (for example, Lupron) is given as either a daily or a monthly injection, depending on the form prescribed for you. Take the medicine at the same time each day. You may take this medicine with or without food.

What if I miss a dose?

Do not miss a dose or stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. If you miss a dose one day, do not double the dose the next day.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

You may need to have blood tests regularly to find out how you are responding to the treatment. Keep all appointments for tests or injections.

Rarely this medicine causes dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are alert and clearheaded.

Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Any pain that is severe and continues; any infection or severe diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; abdominal pain; loss of appetite; fever; headache; muscle aches and pains; tiredness; dark urine; yellowing of your skin or eyes; light colored bowel movements; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; chest pain; trouble breathing; trouble urinating.

Other: Constipation, hot flushes, trouble sleeping, weight loss, swelling of breasts, breast pain, increased urination at night, change in sexual desire or ability, dry skin, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as warfarin (Coumadin)

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.

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