Casodex

What is it?

An anticancer, anti-androgen drug available as film-coated, white tablets containing 50mg of Bicalutamide, each marked with logo and CDX 50.

Medical Uses

In combination with surgical castration or LHRH analogue treatment, for advanced cancer of the prostate gland in men.

Dosage

Adult men: one tablet each day starting at least 3 days before commencement of LHRH therapy or on same day as surgery. Also, CASODEX 150, film-coated, white tablets containing 150mg of bicalutamide.

Medical Uses

Immediate treatment of localised prostate cancer in which radiotherapy or surgical prostatectomy is not presently being contemplated. Immediate treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer, either as sole therapy or with surgery or radiotherapy. Immediate treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer that has not spread and where other treatments cannot be used for some other reason.

Dosage

Adult men: 1 tablet each day for 2 years or more or until there is a change in condition or treatment.

Special Care

Liver disease - liver function may require monitoring; progressive cancer with raised PSA (an antibody) - treatment with Casodex may need to be withdrawn.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Ketoeonazole, terfenadine, calcium antagonists, astemizole, cyclosporin, cimetidine, drugs metabolised by CYP3A4, oral anticoagulants.

Known Side Effects

Breast enlargement and tenderness, nausea, itching, hot flushes, dry skin, liver changes which are usually short-lived. With 50mg doses, sickness and diarrhoea. Rarely, thrombocytopenia (a clotting disorder), heart failure, disturbances of heart conduction, angina. 150mg doses, baldness, dry skin, weight gain, loss of libido and impotence, abdominal pain, blood in urine, depression, changes in hair growth, acid indigestion.

Manufacturer

Astrazeneca.