GENERIC NAME: bicalutamide

BRAND NAME: Casodex

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Bicalutamide is an oral medication that is used for treating cancer of the prostate. It belongs to a class of drugs called anti-androgens which includes flutamide (Eulexin) and nilutamide (Nilandron). Androgens (an example of which is testosterone) are hormones that are produced and released by the adrenal glands. They are responsible for supporting (stimulating) tissues that primarily are thought of as male, for example, the male prostate gland. Male traits that also are influenced by androgens include facial and body hair and small breasts. Anti-androgens prevent the action of androgens by blocking the receptors for androgens on the cells of tissues, for example, the cells of the prostate gland. In addition to normal prostate cells, androgens also have been shown to stimulate the growth of cancer cells within the prostate. Bicalutamide is thought to prevent the growth of prostate cancer by blocking the effects of androgens on the cancer cells. Bicalutamide was approved by the FDA in 1995.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: no

PRESCRIPTION: yes

PREPARATIONS: Bicalutamide is available as a 50mg tablet.

STORAGE: Bicalutamide should be stored at room temperature, 15-30°C(59-86°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Bicalutamide is used in combination with another medication, a gonadotrophin hormone releasing factor, to treat advanced prostate cancer.

DOSING: Bicalutamide should be taken as one 50mg tablet in the morning or the evening at the same time each day. It may be taken with or without food. Once bicalutamide therapy has begun, it should not be interrupted or stopped without consulting a physician.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Bicalutamide may interact with warfarin (Coumadin). Therefore, the dose of Coumadin may need to be adjusted.

PREGNANCY: Bicalutamide can cause harm to a developing fetus; therefore, it should not be administered to pregnant women or women attempting to become pregnant.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if bicalutamide is excreted in breast milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: When bicalutamide and a gonadotrophin releasing factor analog are given together, the most common side effect is hot flashes (50% of patients) and facial flushing. Alcohol may worsen this reaction, and so it should be cautiously consumed. Other common side effects of the combination are diarrhea, constipation and overall pain including pain in the back, hips and stomach. Less common side effects are breast enlargement and breast pain, which may be due to the bicalutamide alone.
Last Editorial Review: 11/8/2000 9:09:00 PM

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