IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
Table of Contents
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Images
Pronounced: (bye-kah-LEW-tuh-mide)
Casodex Oral Side Effects
Flushing and sweating (hot flashes), body aches and pains, breast swelling/tenderness/pain, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, weakness, hair loss, weight changes, constipation, diarrhea, stomach upset, gas, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite may occur.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:
- decreased sexual ability/desire
- vision changes
- numbness/tingling of the hands or feet
- swelling of the arms/legs
- unusual or easy bleeding/bruising
- change in the amount of urine
- painful urination
- signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, persistent sore throat)
- trouble breathing
- persistent cough
- mental/mood changes (e.g., anxiety, depression)
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:
- chest pain
- jaw/left arm pain
Rarely, bicalutamide may cause growth of other types of tumors. Consult your doctor immediately if new lumps or growths occur.
This medication may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these side effects occur:
- dark urine
- yellowing of the eyes/skin
- unusual tiredness
- severe stomach/abdominal pain
- persistent nausea/vomiting
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Casodex Oral Precautions
Before taking bicalutamide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- liver disease
- diabetes
- lung/breathing problems
When higher doses (150 milligrams per day) of this medication are used in patients with early-stage localized prostate cancer, more deaths have occurred than in patients whose doctors decided to monitor them closely before treating with this medication. Ask your doctor for more details and discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. To minimize these effects and flushing of the face, limit alcoholic beverages.
Bicalutamide should not be used in women or children. It must not be used in a woman who may be pregnant or breast-feeding. This medication may cause harm to an unborn or breast-feeding baby.
Casodex Oral Medical Alert
Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
Copyright 2007 First DataBank, Inc.
