Casodex  (Bicalutamide)  

Brand name: Casodex®  

Generic name: Bicalutamide  

Other names : Cosudex , Calutide, Kalumid  

Therapeutic Class:  antiandrogen or androgen antagonist 

Manufacturer / Distributor:  AstraZeneca  

Availability: Casodex is available by prescription only 

Indications: Casodex is used to treat prostate cancer, especially metastatic prostate cancer . However, the drug can be recommended for other medical conditions other than prostate cancer. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.  

Dosage form: Casodex comes in tablet form to be taken by mouth 

Dosage: Casodex is recommended to be taken one tablet of 50 mg once daily, with or without food. The drug can be taken either in the morning or evening, but it is necessary to take Casodex at around the same time every day . Some patients can feel a great improvement days or week after start taking Casodex. However, even if you feel better, do not make the mistake to stop the treatment.   

For efficiency, you may be recommended to take Casodex in combination with another drug that reduces your testosterone level, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH). In this case, Casodex treatment should begin at the same time as that of LH-RH or after surgical castration.  

Your oncologist may prescribe you a different dosage due to certain reasons such as your age, weight, as well as other medical conditions or complications of the drug. If so, it is important to take Casodex as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.  

Overdose: Casodex o verdose is not known to be fatal. However, as a precaution, if you believe you have taken a higher dose of Casodex , contact your physician or a drug and poison control center near you immediately. 

Missing dose: Do not take less or more of the dose recommended by your doctor. If you miss a dose of Casodex in a time not too closed to next one, it is important to take it as soon as possible.  If you recall the missing in the next day, or when it is time to take the next dose, do not double the dose; it can cause serious health problems. The wise option is to contact your physician or wait to continue the normal dosage.  

Contraindication : Casodex is contraindicated in the following conditions:  

• children
• women 
• Patients allergic to Casodex or one of its ingredients.  

Interactions: Talk you to your doctor before taking any prescription or non prescription medication: aspirin, vitamins, nutritional supplements, St. John wort, etc. Some drugs can alter the curative effects of Casodex, or increase the risk of developing side effects. Consult your doctor before taking any of the following medicines: 

• Sildenafil (Viagra) 
• alprazolam (Xanax)
• warfarin (Coumadin) 
• aripiprazole (Abilify) 
• buspirone (Buspar) 
• nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia) 
• atorvastatin (Lipitor) 
• lovastatin (Mevacor) 
• indinavir (Crixivan) 
• amlodipine (Norvasc) 
• diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac) 
• felodipine (Plendil) 
• ritonavir (Norvir) 
• trazodone (Desyrel) 
• halcion (Triazolam) 
• Vincristine (Vincasar).  

Side effects: by attacking the growth and spread of cancer cells, Casodex also attacks healthy cells that multiply rapidly; in most patients, this can cause adverse effects. most common Casodex side effects include:  

• fatigue 
• sleepiness  
• high blood pressure
• erectile dysfunction
• hair loss
• frequent and urgent need to urinate
• nausea and vomiting
• difficulty emptying bladder 
• decreased appetite 
• painful urination
• hot flashes or flushing 
• bone, back, or pelvic pain 
• muscle pain and weakness 
• pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• Intestinal problems: abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas, constipation.  

Although rare, Casodex can cause serious side effects which require immediate medical attention; contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms:   

• d izziness  
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• bloody urine
• painful or swollen breasts
• fainting (temporary loss of consciousness) 
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing 
• Painful or Difficulty swallowing 
• yellowing of the skin or eyes  (jaundice)
• unusual bruising or bleeding 
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• Swelling of your arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs.  

 Useful Tips (need to add this in a separate category/page) 

Chemotherapeutic drugs (cancer drugs) can cause various side effects such as nausea and vomiting. To help reduce these annoyances, you can: 

• drink cool water abundantly  
• relax  
• eat meals containing cruciferous vegetables 
• eat plenty of fruit  
• avoid fried and fatty foods  
• avoid heavily scented foods 
• distract yourself by watching/listening to a funny broadcast radio or television – you can also have a conversation that can make you laugh  
• In case you feel nausea, drink iced tea or ginger tea; this can help your stomach to recover. 

References: 

1 - nlm.nih.gov, Bicalutamide 

2 - santecheznous.com, Casodex