Casodex

Casodex tablets contain the active ingredient bicalutamide, which is a type of medicine known as an anti-androgen. It works by blocking the effects of male hormones (androgens) such as testosterone.
Prostate cancers are sensitive to testosterone and their growth is increased in the presence of this hormone. This is because testosterone binds to androgen receptors on the prostate cancer cells and causes changes within the cells that result in faster growth of the cancer.
Bicalutamide works by preventing testosterone from binding to the androgen receptors on the prostate cancer cells. It therefore starves prostate cancer cells of testosterone, which prevents them growing. Eventually the prostate tumour will shrink.

Important information about Casodex
Before taking Casodex, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, diabetes, or any other serious illness. Casodex is given as part of a combination prostate cancer treatment with another medication that prevents the testicles from producing testosterone.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not stop taking Casodex without your doctor's advice. If you stop your treatment suddenly, your condition may become worse.
To be sure Casodex is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your prostate and liver function will need to be checked with frequent blood tests. Visit your doctor regularly.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, blood in your urine, or stomach pain with loss of appetite, dark urine, and yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Casodex should never be taken by a woman or a child. Although Casodex is not for use by women, this medication can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy.

Side effects:
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Very common (affect more than 1 in 10 people)

• Dizziness.
• Hot flushes.
• Feeling sick.
• Abdominal pain.
• Constipation.
• Blood in the urine.
• Abnormal enlargement of the breasts (gynaecomastia).
• Breast tenderness.
• Chest pain.
• Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia).
• Fluid retention (oedema).