Details

Bicalutamide is an anti-androgen. It works in the body by preventing the actions of androgens (male hormones). Bicalutamide is used together with another hormone to treat prostate cancer. Although bicalutamide is not for use by women, this medicine can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. To make sure bicalutamide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have liver disease diabetes or if you also take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven).

Typical Uses

Bicalutamide is used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other areas of the body. It is used in combination with hormone treatment. This medication works by blocking the action of male hormones in the prostate, slowing growth of the tumours.

Side Effects

Contact your healthcare professional as soon as possible if you experience breast pain or swelling blood in your urine fever, chills sudden chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, dry cough, feeling short of breath low red blood cells, pale skin, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating liver problems nausea upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) or high blood sugar increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odour, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss.

Drug Interactions

• Bicalutamide+halofantrine- Bicalutamide may increase the blood levels of halofantrine. High blood levels of halofantrine can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.

• Bicalutamide+leflunomide- Leflunomide may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as bicalutamide may increase that risk. Because leflunomide can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it.

• Bicalutamide+mipomersen- Mipomersen may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as bicalutamide may increase that risk. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol to no more than one drink per day while being treated with these medications.

• Bicalutamide+pimozide- Using pimozide together with bicalutamide is not recommended. Combining these medications may significantly increase the blood levels of pimozide. High blood levels of pimozide can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect.

Mechanism of action

Bicalutamide belongs to a class of drugs called non-steroidal anti-androgens. It works by blocking the effect of androgen (a male hormone), to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Pregnancy Category : X