bicalutamide

What is the most important information I should know about bicalutamide?

What is bicalutamide?

Bicalutamide is used to treat prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

Bicalutamide is given in combination with another medicine called a luteinizing (LOO-tee-in-ize-ing) hormone-releasing hormone, or LHRH. LHRH helps prevent the testicles from producing testosterone.

Bicalutamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking bicalutamide?

Bicalutamide is not for use by women or children.

This medicine can cause birth defects if a woman takes it during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease; or
• diabetes.

How should I take bicalutamide?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Bicalutamide is usually taken once per day in the morning or evening.

Take the medicine at the same time each day, with or without food.

LHRH is given as an injection or a tiny implant injected through a needle under the skin around your navel. LHRH injections are given at intervals such as once every 4 weeks. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You should not stop using bicalutamide unless your doctor tells you to.

You will need frequent medical tests.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking bicalutamide?

What are the possible side effects of bicalutamide?

• breast pain or swelling;
• sudden chest pain, wheezing, dry cough, feeling short of breath;
• low red blood cells (anemia) --pale skin, unusual tiredness, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet;
• liver problems --nausea, upper stomach pain, feeling tired, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), fever, chills;
• high blood sugar --increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor; or
• (if you also take warfarin) unusual bruising or bleeding.

Common side effects may include:

• anemia;
• blood in your urine;
• fever, chills, flu-like symptoms;
• trouble breathing;
• hot flashes;
• pain in your back, pelvis, or stomach;
• swelling in your arms, ankles, legs, or feet;
• increased night-time urination;
• weakness, dizziness; or
• nausea, diarrhea, constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect bicalutamide?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect bicalutamide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about bicalutamide.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.01. Revision date: 10/14/2020.