Bicalutamide

'For patient information, click here.''

Bicalutamide (marketed as Casodex®, Cosudex®, Calutide®, Kalumid®) is an oral non-steroidal anti-androgen for prostate cancer. It was first launched in 1995 as a combination treatment (with surgical or medical castration) for advanced prostate cancer and subsequently launched as monotherapy for the treatment of earlier stages of the disease.

It is marketed by AstraZeneca with the brand names Casodex and Cosudex. Bicalutamide is recommended 50 mg once daily in combination with an LHRH analogue or surgical castration.

Description
Bicalutamide is an oral non-steroidal anti-androgen with the empirical formula C18H14N2O4F4S and is an off-white powder that is practically insoluble in water.

Indications and use
For the treatment of stage D2 metastatic prostate cancer in combination with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue or as a monotherapy. Has been used in clinical trials for ovarian cancer.

Contraindications and precautions
Bicalutamide is contra-indicated in females and children and must not be given to any patient who has shown a hypersensitivity reaction to its use.

Adverse reactions
Adverse reactions include reproductive system and breast disorders, breast tenderness, gynaecomastia, hot flushes, gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhoea, nausea, hepatic changes (elevated levels of transaminases, jaundice), asthenia and pruritus.