Type of medicine: antiandrogen; antineoplastic (anticancer)
Generic and brand names: bicalutamide, oral; Casodex
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat advanced prostate cancer. It is usually taken with a hormone medicine. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
This medicine may make you sterile (unable to have children), at least temporarily. If you plan to have children someday, talk with your healthcare provider before you start treatment.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine should NOT be taken by women. Do NOT take this medicine if you are pregnant. This medicine has been reported to cause birth defects. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
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. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider’s approval.
Take the medicine at the same time each day. You may take this medicine with or without food.
The hormone medicine (for example, Lupron) is given as either a daily or a monthly injection, depending on the form prescribed for you.
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and use the next one as directed. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
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.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
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.
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.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
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.
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:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. 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.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
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.
