Medication To Treat Advanced Prostate Cancer
Bicalutamide is a nonsteroidal antiandrogen. Prostate cancer is one of the common problems in men worldwide. It is now possible to diagnose it in younger men and at earlier disease stages. This allows patient often live with their disease for many years after diagnosis. The traditional method being the medical/surgical castration. But it had its side effects like loss of libido and impotence.
Nonsteroidal antiandrogen provides an effective alternative to castration. Castration involves the physical removal of the testicles, which produces 95 percent of a men’s testosterone. It was approved by the FDA in 1995.
How do Bicalutamide works?
Adrenal glands produce and release hormones like androgens (eg testosterone). They support and stimulate male tissue (male prostate gland). It also influences male traits like facial and body hair and small breast.
Bicalutamide belongs to the class of medication known as Nonsteroidal antiandrogen (NSAA). The androgen receptor plays an important role in regulating gene expressions. It binds to cytosol androgen receptors in the target tissue. Anti-androgen blocks the receptors for androgen on the cells of tissue (prostate gland). This prevents the action of androgens.
Androgen seems to be responsible for the growth of cancer cells within the prostate. Bicalutamide also prevent the growth of prostate cancer by above mechanism.
How to take Bicalutamide?
It is available in the form of tablets of 50 mg. It is an oral medicine to take by mouth.
Adult dosage: You should take 1 tablet of 50 mg one time a day. Take it around the same time every day. Don’t interrupt or stop the medicine without consulting your Doctor. Your Doctor may use it in combination with LHRH analog.
Children: Safety and efficacy not stated in case of children and women.
What are the uses of Bicalutamide?
- Bicalutamide treats prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.
- Slows the growth of tumors.
- Along with LHRH analog treats advanced prostate cancer.
- Your Doctor may prescribe it for other reasons. Talk with your doctor.
What is the precaution in taking Bicalutamide?
It is necessary to take certain precaution in taking Bicalutamide. Discuss or ask your Doctor If you have/are
- Allergic to Bicalutamide or any other part of the drug.
- If you are women. It is not approved for use in women.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Diabetic.
- Some other precautions include
- Inform your doctor regarding all other medication you take. This may reduce the risk of drug interaction.
- Avoid sunlight and tanning beds. You may get sunburned easily.
- Use birth control forms to protect women from pregnancy. When you (a man) take this medicine. Discuss further regarding this with your doctor.
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
Cost of Bicalutamide (generic and brand):
The generic Bicalutamide and its brand version Casodex do not show much difference in case of effect. They contain the same active ingredient. But there is a difference in their cost. Generic drugs are cheaper. We buy the raw sources in bulk. No agents and other cost-cutting methods make us sell cheap medicines to our customers.
Cost of generic Bicalutamide.
Pack of 30 tablets of 50 mg costs $ 95, per unit cost is $ 3.17.
Cost of brand Casodex.
Pack of 30 tablets of 50 mg costs $ 556.73, per unit cost is $ 18.56.