Bicalutamide
About
Bicalutamide belongs to the class of anticancer drugs called non-steroidal anti-androgens used to treat prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is prostate gland cancer (a small gland under the bladder that produces semen) found only in men. The symptoms include difficulty in urination, pain, numbness, or sexual problems.
Bicalutamide contains Bicalutamide which works by inhibiting the effects of androgens (male hormones) such as testosterone that increase the growth of prostate cancer cells. Bicalutamide prevents testosterone from binding to androgen receptors on the prostate cancer cells and starves cancer cells of testosterone. Thereby, it prevents the growth of prostate cancer cells and eventually shrinks the prostate tumor.
Take Bicalutamide with or without food as advised by your doctor and swallow whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew or break it. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take your tablets based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience weakness, skin rash, swelling and tenderness of the breast, nausea, dry skin, weight gain, hair loss, hot flushes (sudden feeling of warmth), anemia (lack of blood), reduces sex drive, constipation, depression, indigestion or dizziness. Most of these side effects of Bicalutamide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Bicalutamide or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Bicalutamide is not recommended for women and children. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Bicalutamide. Please consult a doctor if you want to father a child before taking Bicalutamide as it may impair fertility in men. Avoid taking Bicalutamide with cisapride, astemizole, or terfenadine. Avoid direct exposure to excessive UV light or sunlight and wear protective clothing while going out in the sun as Bicalutamide may increase sunburn risk. If you have diabetes, liver, or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Bicalutamide.
Uses of Bicalutamide
Medicinal Benefits
Bicalutamide contains Bicalutamide, an anticancer drug used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Bicalutamide works by inhibiting the effects of androgens (male hormones) such as testosterone that increase the growth of prostate cancer cells. Bicalutamide prevents testosterone from binding to androgen receptors on the prostate cancer cells and starves cancer cells of testosterone. Thereby, it prevents the growth of prostate cancer cells and eventually shrinks the prostate tumor. Also, Bicalutamide relieves difficulty in urination. Bicalutamide can be used in combination with radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer where cancer has spread from the prostate gland to the surrounding tissues.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Bicalutamide
- Weakness
- Skin rash
- Swelling and tenderness of breast
- Nausea
- Dry skin
- Weight gain
- Hair loss
- Hot flushes (sudden feeling of warmth)
- Anaemia (lack of blood)
- Reduced sex drive
- Constipation
- Depression
- Indigestion
- Dizziness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Bicalutamide or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Bicalutamide is not recommended for women and children. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Bicalutamide. You and your partner recommend using effective birth control measures while taking Bicalutamide and for 130 days after discontinuing Bicalutamide. Please consult a doctor if you want to father a child before taking Bicalutamide as it may impair fertility in men. You are advised to quit smoking as it may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Avoid taking Bicalutamide with cisapride, astemizole, or terfenadine. Regular tests are recommended to monitor liver function and if there is any severe disturbance in liver functioning, avoid taking Bicalutamide. Avoid direct exposure to excessive UV light or sunlight and wear protective clothing while going out in the sun as Bicalutamide may increase sunburn risk. If you have diabetes, liver, or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Bicalutamide.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Bicalutamide may have interaction with medicine for stomach disorders (cisapride), anti-allergic drugs (astemizole, terfenadine), heart-related drugs (procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol, quinidine), antibiotic (moxifloxacin), opioid painkiller (methadone), blood thinner (warfarin), immunosuppressant (ciclosporin), antacid (cimetidine), antifungal (ketoconazole).
Drug-Food Interactions: Bicalutamide may interact with grapefruit juice. Therefore, avoid intake of grapefruit juice with Bicalutamide as it may increase concentrations of Bicalutamide and cause more adverse effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: If you have diabetes, liver or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Bicalutamide.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionInteraction of Bicalutamide with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Bicalutamide.
Pregnancy
unsafeBicalutamide is contraindicated in pregnant women as it is not approved for use in women. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafeBicalutamide is contraindicated in breastfeeding women as it is not approved for use in women. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionBicalutamide may cause drowsiness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you are drowsy after taking Bicalutamide.
Liver
cautionTake Bicalutamide with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
safe if prescribedBicalutamide is safe to use in patients with kidney problems if prescribed by a doctor.
Children
unsafeBicalutamide is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include fish, soy, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli and oils containing omega-3 fatty acids such as olive oil as these foods may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
- Avoid grilled meat, red meat, saturated fat found in animal products, milk and dairy products as they may increase prostate cancer risk.
- Exercise regularly to lose weight as obesity is also considered as a risk factor for prostate cancer.
- Quit smoking to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
Special Advise
Regular blood tests are recommended to monitor changes in blood and liver functioning while taking Bicalutamide.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Prostate cancer: It is prostate gland cancer (a small gland under the bladder that produces semen) found only in men. The symptoms include difficulty in urination, pain, numbness, or sexual problems. It is the most common type of cancer in men. The cause of prostate cancer is unknown and may be caused due to exposure to certain chemicals or family history. There are certain factors that increase the risk of prostate cancer, such as a family history of prostate cancer, older age, obesity, or genetic changes.
FAQs
Bicalutamide contains Bicalutamide, an anticancer drug that works by inhibiting the effects of androgens (male hormones) such as testosterone and reduces or prevents the growth of prostate cancer cells and eventually shrink the prostate tumour.
You are not recommended to take Bicalutamide with anti-allergic drugs such as terfenadine or astemizole. It may increase the levels of terfenadine or astemizole in blood and cause adverse effects as severe irregular heartbeat. However, please consult a doctor before taking Bicalutamide with other medicines.
Bicalutamide may cause infertility or a period of subfertility (delay in conceiving) in men. Therefore, if you want to father a child, please discuss with your doctor before taking Bicalutamide.
Bicalutamide should be used with caution in diabetic patients as it may increase the risk of high blood sugar levels. Therefore, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended while taking Bicalutamide and inform your doctor if you have diabetes before taking Bicalutamide.
Bicalutamide is not recommended for patients suffering from heart rhythm problems such as arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) as it may increase the risk of heart rhythm problems. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have any heart problems before taking Bicalutamide.
Bicalutamide increase skin sensitivity to the sun and make sunburn more easily. Therefore, avoid direct exposure to excessive UV-light or sunlight, wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen while going out in the sun.
