Patient
Information Leaflet
Casodex 150 mg
bicalutamide
What you
should know about Casodex 150 mg
The
information in this leaflet applies only to your
medicine, Casodex 150 mg. Please read it carefully.
It gives you
important information but it can’t tell you everything.
If you have any questions, or are not sure about
anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is
your medicine?
Casodex 150
mg comes as white film-coated tablets and each tablet
contains 150 mg of bicalutamide.
Each tablet
contains a number of inactive ingredients which allow it
to be made.
These are
lactose monohydrate, carboxymethyl amidon sodium,
povidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol 300
and titanium dioxide.
Casodex 150
mg comes in blister packs of 28 tablets.
Casodex 150
mg belongs to a group of medicines called antiandrogens.
This means that it interferes with some of the actions
of androgens (male sex hormones) within the body.
What is
your medicine for?
Casodex 150
mg is used to treat prostate cancer.
In early
disease, it is used as immediate treatment or commenced
after treatment of curative intent.
Casodex 150
mg is also used as monotherapy in patients for whom
castration or other medicines are not appropriate or
acceptable.
When
should Casodex 150 mg not be used?
-
Casodex 150 mg should not be used if you have ever
had an allergic reaction to Casodex 150 mg, Casodex
50 mg or to any particular ingredient.
-
Casodex 150 mg must not be taken by women, including
pregnant women or mothers who are breast-feeding
their babies.
-
Casodex 150 mg must not be given to children.
- The
tablets are only for you and must never be given to
anyone else.
What
precautions should be taken with Casodex 150 mg?
-
Before taking your medicine, tell your doctor if:
-
you are suffering from any disorder or disease
which affects your liver
-
you are taking any other medicines including
those which you have bought. In particular, if
you are taking oral anticoagulants (to prevent
blood clots), some antihistamines (terfenadine
or astemizole), cisapride (for some types of
indigestion), cyclosporin (to suppress your
immune system) or calcium channel blockers (to
treat high blood pressure or some heart
conditions)
- As
mentioned earlier each tablet contains 183 mg of
lactose monohydrate which may cause a problem in a
small number of patients who are sensitive to
lactose.
- Your
tablets are unlikely to adversely affect your
ability to drive a car or to operate machinery.
- If
you go into hospital, let the medical staff know you
are taking Casodex 150 mg.
-
Only stop taking your tablets if
your doctor tells you.
How
should I take my Casodex 150 mg?
-
Follow your doctor’s instructions about when and how
to take your tablets. Please read
the label on the container. Ask your doctor
or pharmacist if you are not sure.
- The
usual adult dose is one tablet taken daily.
-
Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water.
- Try
to take your tablet at the same time each day.
- You
should take Casodex 150 mg as prescribed. However,
if you miss a dose do not take an extra dose. Just
resume your usual schedule.
- If
you take more than your normal dose, contact your
doctor or nearest hospital.
- Do
not stop taking your tablets even if you are feeling
well, unless your doctor tells you.
What
undesirable events may be experienced with Casodex 150
mg?
Like all
medicines, Casodex 150 mg can have side effects.
Contact your
doctor or seek medical help immediately if you
experience any of the following:
Side effects
that are uncommon:
-
serious breathlessness, or sudden worsening of
breathlessness, possibly with a cough or fever. Some
patients taking Casodex 150 mg get an inflammation
of the lungs called interstitial lung disease
-
severe itching of the skin (with raised lumps) or
swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat,
which may cause difficulty in swallowing
-
blood in urine
-
abdominal pain
-
yellow skin and eyes (jaundice). These may be
symptoms of liver damage.
Tell your
doctor if any of the following side effects bother you:
Side effects
that are very common:
-
tender or enlarged breast tissue
Side effects
that are common:
- hot
flushes
-
nausea
-
itching
- dry
skin
-
impotence
-
weight gain
-
feeling weak
-
reduced sex drive and reduced fertility
- loss
of hair or hair regrowth
Side effects
that are uncommon:
Occasionally, Casodex 150 mg may be associated with
changes in your blood, which may require your doctor to
do certain blood tests.
Do not be
alarmed by this list of possible events. You may not
have any of them.
If you
notice any side effect not mentioned in this leaflet,
please inform your doctor or pharmacist.
How
should I store Casodex 150 mg?
- Do
not store above 30°C.
- Keep
your tablets in the container they came in.
- If
your doctor decides to stop your treatment, dispose
of your tablets in an appropriate way.
- Do
not take your tablets after the expiry date on the
container.
- Keep
your tablets in a safe place where children cannot
see or reach them. Your tablets could harm them.
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