BICALUTAMIDE belongs to the class of anticancer drugs called non-steroidal anti-androgens used to treat prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is prostate gland cancer (a small gland under the bladder that produces semen) found only in men. The symptoms include difficulty in urination, pain, numbness, or sexual problems.
BICALUTAMIDE contains Bicalutamide which works by inhibiting the effects of androgens (male hormones) such as testosterone that increase the growth of prostate cancer cells. BICALUTAMIDE prevents testosterone from binding to androgen receptors on the prostate cancer cells and starves cancer cells of testosterone. Thereby, it prevents the growth of prostate cancer cells and eventually shrinks the prostate tumor.
Take BICALUTAMIDE with or without food as advised by your doctor and swallow whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew or break it. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take your tablets based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience weakness, skin rash, swelling and tenderness of the breast, nausea, dry skin, weight gain, hair loss, hot flushes (sudden feeling of warmth), anemia (lack of blood), reduces sex drive, constipation, depression, indigestion or dizziness. Most of these side effects of BICALUTAMIDE do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to BICALUTAMIDE or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. BICALUTAMIDE is not recommended for women and children. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking BICALUTAMIDE. Please consult a doctor if you want to father a child before taking BICALUTAMIDE as it may impair fertility in men. Avoid taking BICALUTAMIDE with cisapride, astemizole, or terfenadine. Avoid direct exposure to excessive UV light or sunlight and wear protective clothing while going out in the sun as BICALUTAMIDE may increase sunburn risk. If you have diabetes, liver, or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking BICALUTAMIDE.
Prostate cancer
BICALUTAMIDE contains Bicalutamide, an anticancer drug used in the treatment of prostate cancer. BICALUTAMIDE works by inhibiting the effects of androgens (male hormones) such as testosterone that increase the growth of prostate cancer cells. BICALUTAMIDE prevents testosterone from binding to androgen receptors on the prostate cancer cells and starves cancer cells of testosterone. Thereby, it prevents the growth of prostate cancer cells and eventually shrinks the prostate tumor. Also, BICALUTAMIDE relieves difficulty in urination. BICALUTAMIDE can be used in combination with radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer where cancer has spread from the prostate gland to the surrounding tissues.
If you are allergic to BICALUTAMIDE or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. BICALUTAMIDE is not recommended for women and children. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking BICALUTAMIDE. You and your partner recommend using effective birth control measures while taking BICALUTAMIDE and for 130 days after discontinuing BICALUTAMIDE. Please consult a doctor if you want to father a child before taking BICALUTAMIDE as it may impair fertility in men. You are advised to quit smoking as it may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Avoid taking BICALUTAMIDE with cisapride, astemizole, or terfenadine. Regular tests are recommended to monitor liver function and if there is any severe disturbance in liver functioning, avoid taking BICALUTAMIDE. Avoid direct exposure to excessive UV light or sunlight and wear protective clothing while going out in the sun as BICALUTAMIDE may increase sunburn risk. If you have diabetes, liver, or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking BICALUTAMIDE.
Drug-Drug Interactions: BICALUTAMIDE may have interaction with medicine for stomach disorders (cisapride), anti-allergic drugs (astemizole, terfenadine), heart-related drugs (procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol, quinidine), antibiotic (moxifloxacin), opioid painkiller (methadone), blood thinner (warfarin), immunosuppressant (ciclosporin), antacid (cimetidine), antifungal (ketoconazole).
Drug-Food Interactions: BICALUTAMIDE may interact with grapefruit juice. Therefore, avoid intake of grapefruit juice with BICALUTAMIDE as it may increase concentrations of BICALUTAMIDE and cause more adverse effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: If you have diabetes, liver or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking BICALUTAMIDE.
Interaction of BICALUTAMIDE with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using BICALUTAMIDE.
BICALUTAMIDE is contraindicated in pregnant women as it is not approved for use in women. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
BICALUTAMIDE is contraindicated in breastfeeding women as it is not approved for use in women. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
BICALUTAMIDE may cause drowsiness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you are drowsy after taking BICALUTAMIDE.
Take BICALUTAMIDE with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
BICALUTAMIDE is safe to use in patients with kidney problems if prescribed by a doctor.
BICALUTAMIDE is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Regular blood tests are recommended to monitor changes in blood and liver functioning while taking BICALUTAMIDE.
Prostate cancer: It is prostate gland cancer (a small gland under the bladder that produces semen) found only in men. The symptoms include difficulty in urination, pain, numbness, or sexual problems. It is the most common type of cancer in men. The cause of prostate cancer is unknown and may be caused due to exposure to certain chemicals or family history. There are certain factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer, such as a family history of prostate cancer, older age, obesity, or genetic changes.