Type of medicine: antineoplastic (anticancer)
Generic and brand names: estramustine, oral; Emcyt
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat prostate cancer.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
This medicine may make you sterile (unable to have children) whether you are a man or a woman. If you plan to have children someday, talk with your healthcare provider before you start treatment.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.
Men should also use an effective birth control method during treatment with this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this and how long you should use effective birth control after you stop taking this medicine.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Take it 1Â hour before or 2 hours after meals. Swallow the capsules with water.
Do not drink milk, eat milk products or calcium-rich foods (for example yogurt and cottage cheese), or take drugs containing calcium (for example, antacids) at the same time as this medicine. Take this medicine 2Â hours apart from these foods or products.
Do not stop taking this medicine until your healthcare provider tells you to do so. Do not increase or decrease the dosage without your healthcare provider's approval.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take 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.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden numbness or swelling.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first.
You may need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
This medicine may make your mouth sore. Use a soft bristle brush or mouth swab to brush your teeth.
Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
This medicine can cause birth defects. Use a reliable method of birth control while you are taking the medicine. If your partner becomes pregnant while you are taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.
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.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
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; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Chest pain; sudden cough; sudden weakness; severe nausea or diarrhea; unusual bleeding or bruising; pain, redness, or swelling in lower legs; severe headache; numbness in arms or legs; any unexplained swelling.
Other: Nausea, rash, dry skin, fatigue, trouble sleeping, breast tenderness or enlargement, diarrhea, gas, loss of appetite, loss of interest in sex.
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:
Do not drink alcohol while you are receiving this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
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 in the refrigerator. Do not freeze. 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.
