Generic Casodex

The generic form of Casodex is bicalutmide, which is commonly prescribed to alleviate the serious health threats associated with prostate cancer. Its main function is to interrupt the production and function of androgens, the male hormones. This can help to eradicate male hormone driven cancers from the body. Patients who undergoing medicinal treatment with this medication should not stop taking the prescribed dose without prior consent from their physician.

Patients with liver disease may require careful monitoring while undergoing drug therapy with Casodex. Any patient with an additional serious illness will require careful monitoring, and medications that affect the hormones are likely to affect other functions of the human body. Physicians should be extremely thorough with patients with a secondary serious illness.

The American Food and Drug Administration determined this medication is not only inappropriate for women who are pregnant or might become pregnant, but it is also not federally approved for use in women. This medication will cause birth defects and harm to a nursing baby, thus extra precautions should be taken in order to avoid an accidental dosing. Even one dose can cause irreparable harm to a developing fetus. The American FDA rated Casodex a pregnancy risk category X, which means that the pills should not even be handled by women, just in case.

Patients should take the exact prescribed dosage with a full glass of water at the same time every day. However, if the patient misses a dose, they should take it as soon as possible. If the next dose is drawing near, however, the missed dose should just be skipped and the dosing schedule should resume with the next regularly scheduled dose. A double dose should not be taken unless it is expressly directed by the prescribing physician.

An overdose can occur form taking too much of this medication. An overdose is not likely to cause any potentially fatal consequences, however immediate emergency medical attention should be sought anyway. The symptoms of an overdose are not well documented, and other than the predictable upset stomach and potential for vomiting, each patient may present with different symptoms.

Side effects are common, especially when starting a new medication. Some can be quite serious while others are mild and present no real threat to the patient. Patients should always report even their mild side effects to the prescribing physician. Sometimes a dosage adjustment can alleviate many of the side effects. Mild side effects are likely to include tender breasts, swelling of the breasts, headaches, vomiting, nausea, hot flashed, diarrhea, constipation, weakness, back pain, pelvic discomfort, or sexual dysfunction. Other side effects may occur.

Serious side effects require much more than a phone call to the physician’s office. Serious side effects require a trip to the emergency room for urgent medical care. Allergic reactions, which are noted by the swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or tongue, hives, and difficulty breathing are the most common serious side effect associated with Casodex.

The prescribing physician should always be sure to gather accurate information about a patient’s current medications. Patients should always inquire with the prescribing physician before taking any new medications, including over the counter, prescription, herbal and vitamin remedies. Medications such a blood thinners are especially dangerous and should never be mixed with Casodx.