bye-ka-LOO-ta-mide
Commonly used brand name(s):
In the U.S.
Available Dosage Forms:
Therapeutic Class: Antiandrogen
Bicalutamide is used together with another medicine to treat metastatic prostate cancer (cancer that has spread) in men. Bicalutamide belongs to the group of medicines called antiandrogens. It works by blocking the effects of testosterone (a male hormone), which helps stop the growth and spread of cancer cells. Bicalutamide will always be given together with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogue (e.g., goserelin or leuprolide).
bicalutamide is available only with your doctor's prescription.
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For bicalutamide, the following should be considered:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to bicalutamide or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of bicalutamide in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of bicalutamide in geriatric patients.
Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
---|---|---|
All Trimesters | X | Studies in animals or pregnant women have demonstrated positive evidence of fetal abnormalities. This drug should not be used in women who are or may become pregnant because the risk clearly outweighs any possible benefit. |
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Using bicalutamide with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of bicalutamide. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Take bicalutamide only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.
It is best to take bicalutamide at the same time each day. If you have been directed to take the medicine once a day, you may take it either in the morning or in the evening.
bicalutamide should be started at the same time as treatment with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogue. Do not stop taking these medicines without checking with your doctor first.
You may take bicalutamide with food or on an empty stomach.
The dose of bicalutamide will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of bicalutamide. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
If you miss a dose of bicalutamide, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that bicalutamide is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Liver problems may occur while you are using bicalutamide. Stop using bicalutamide and check with your doctor right away if you are having more than one of these symptoms: clay-colored stools; dark urine; fever; headache; loss of appetite; nausea and vomiting; pain or tenderness in the upper right side of the stomach; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin.
bicalutamide may cause swelling of the breasts (gynecomastia) and breast pain in some patients. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More commonSome side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More commonOther side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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