Bicalutamide

Conditions Treated

Bicalutamide is used with another medication (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone [LHRH]; such as leuprolide or goserelin) to treat metastatic prostate cancer (cancer that started in the prostate and has spread to other parts of the body). Bicalutamide is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal antiandrogens. It works by blocking the effect of androgen (a male hormone), to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Bicalutamide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• hot flashes or flushing
• bone, back, or pelvic pain
• muscle weakness
• muscle or joint pain
• headache
• shortness of breath
• increased blood pressure
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• cough
• constipation
• nausea
• vomiting
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea
• gas
• change in weight (loss or gain)
• loss of appetite
• dizziness
• pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
• difficulty sleeping
• feeling of uneasiness or dread
• rash
• sweating
• inability to get or keep an erection
• need to urinate frequently during the night
• bloody urine
• painful or difficult urination
• frequent and urgent need to urinate
• difficulty emptying bladder
• painful or swollen breasts

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• extreme tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• lack of energy
• upset stomach
• loss of appetite
• flu-like symptoms
• dull or sharp side pain
• chest pain

Bicalutamide may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Bicalutamide comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day, either in the morning or evening. Take bicalutamide at around the same time every day. You should begin taking bicalutamide on the same day you begin injecting the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take bicalutamide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Bicalutamide along with the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone may help stop the growth and spread of cancer cells but does not cure prostate cancer. Continue to take both bicalutamide and the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone even if you feel better. Do not stop taking these medications without talking to your doctor.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before taking bicalutamide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to bicalutamide, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in bicalutamide tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: alprazolam (Xanax); anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); aripiprazole (Abilify); buspirone (Buspar); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), nisoldipine (Sular), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); chlorpheniramine; cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and simvastatin (Zocor); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); diazepam (Valium); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan), ritonavir (Norvir), and saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase); methadone (Dolophine); midazolam (Versed); pimozide (Orap); quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute); quinine; sildenafil (Viagra); tacrolimus (Prograf); tamoxifen (Nolvadex); telithromycin (Ketek); trazodone (Desyrel); triazolam (Halcion); and vincristine (Vincasar). Many other medications may also interact with bicalutamide, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease.