Casodex 50mg Tablet is used in the treatment of cancer of the prostate gland. It may be also used to treat other conditions, as determined by the doctor. It works by blocking the effects of male hormones such as testosterone.
Casodex 50mg Tablet should be taken with or without food, preferably at a fixed time every day. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to.
Anemia (low number of red blood cells) is very common side effect of this medicine. Other than this, yellowing of skin, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, dark urine, and skin rashes are some side effects which require immediate action. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with liver function during treatment with this medicine. It makes your skin more sensitive towards sunlight, hence take extra caution while going out.
Before taking it, tell your doctor if have diabetes, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It may harm your baby. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy. You may be asked for regular monitoring of blood glucose level while on treatment.
Prostate gland is a small walnut-sized gland that produces a fluid called seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperms in males. The most common symptom of prostate cancer is difficulty with urination, but sometimes there are no symptoms at all. Casodex 50mg Tablet decreases or stops the growth of cancer cells by decreasing the amount of testosterone (natural hormone in males) in men. This also relieves difficulty in passing urine and makes it easier for you to urinate.
Side effects of Casodex Tablet
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Casodex
Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
Rash
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Decreased appetite
Dizziness
Hot flashes
Nausea
Weakness
Nocturia (increased urge to urinate during the night)
Edema (swelling)
How to use Casodex Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Casodex 50mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Casodex Tablet works
Casodex 50mg Tablet blocks the effect of the natural male hormones on the growth of prostate cells. Casodex 50mg Tablet also blocks the undesired effects of androgens in females such as excessive hair growth and acne.
Safety advice
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Casodex 50mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
UNSAFE
Casodex 50mg Tablet is highly unsafe to use during pregnancy. Seek your doctor's advice as studies on pregnant women and animals have shown significant harmful effects to the developing baby.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Information regarding the use of Casodex 50mg Tablet during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether Casodex 50mg Tablet alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Casodex 50mg Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Casodex 50mg Tablet is recommended.
Liver
CAUTION
Casodex 50mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Casodex 50mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Regular monitoring of liver function tests is advisable while you are taking this medicine.
What if you forget to take Casodex Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Casodex 50mg Tablet, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
All substitutes
For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
You have been prescribed Casodex 50mg Tablet for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Take it with or without food, preferably at the same time every day.
It may cause your skin to become light sensitive. Avoid direct exposure to excessive sunlight and use sunscreen when outdoors.
If you are diabetic, monitor your blood glucose regularly while taking Casodex 50mg Tablet.
Your doctor may want you to have regular blood tests to monitor your liver function while you are taking this medicine. Inform your doctor if you notice yellowing of eyes or skin, dark urine, or stomach pain.
Do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor first.
Fact Box
Chemical Class
Trifluoromethylbenzenes Derivative
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
ANTI NEOPLASTICS
Action Class
Androgen receptor antagonist
Patient concerns
I have problem of frequent urination at night. My father had same at his time.Doctor told me that I am having BPH.Also I went through PSA whose result is 1.8 increased prostate gland size is 40 which came in ultrasound report .When doctor did some test by inserting his finger in my rectal area I felt abnormal pain.doctor asked me to go for a culture test so as to check which can be the best medicine for BPH for me. Kindly suggest if it can be something else like prostate cancer.
Dr. Vijay Sharnangat
Medical Oncology and Hematology
May not be prostate cancer, it is only begnin enlargement of prostate.
Do i have prostrate cancer. Married but now having difficulty in having relation with wife. Penis not hard in the morning. Having problem with self spontaneous erection. Please help. God Bless.
There is limited data to support that Casodex 50mg Tablet causes infertility. Casodex 50mg Tablet has been shown to affect fertility in animals and therefore it is assumed that it may cause fertility on humans. Some studies have shown that it affects spermatogenesis (origin and development of the sperm cells).
Q. What should I avoid while taking Casodex 50mg Tablet?
Skin sensitivity has been observed in some patients while taking Casodex 50mg Tablet. Therefore, you should avoid direct sun exposure, sunlamps, and tanning beds. It is advised to use a sunscreen during treatment with Casodex 50mg Tablet.
Q. Is Casodex 50mg Tablet a form of chemotherapy?
No, Casodex 50mg Tablet is not a form of chemotherapy medicine, it is anti-androgen medicine. Androgens such as testosterone are natural male sex hormones. Casodex 50mg Tablet works by blocking the effect of androgens (testosterone) in order to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells.
Q. Does Casodex 50mg Tablet cause hair loss?
Yes, Casodex 50mg Tablet may cause hair loss as it is a common side effect. However, this does not affect everyone. Consult your doctor, if hair loss is worrying you.
Q. What is Casodex 50mg Tablet prescribed for?
Casodex 50mg Tablet is used with another medication (gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists; such as leuprolide or goserelin) to treat metastatic prostate cancer (prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body). Other than that, Casodex 50mg Tablet has been effective in treating hirsutism in patients with polycystic ovarian disease, though this is not an approved use.
Q. When should I take Casodex 50mg Tablet?
Casodex 50mg Tablet should be taken at the same time every day either in the morning or in the evening. Take it exactly as directed by your doctor.
Q. Can Casodex 50mg Tablet cause diarrhea?
Yes, Casodex 50mg Tablet can cause diarrhea though it is rare. Generally, constipation is more common with this medicine. Consult your doctor if it worries you.
Q. How long do I need to take Casodex 50mg Tablet?
Casodex 50mg Tablet tablets should be taken continuously for a minimum of 2 years or until the disease persists. Do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor.
Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.
References
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Chrousos GP. The Gonadal Hormones & Inhibitors. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 724.
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