Casodex Side Effects

Generic name: bicalutamide

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 25, 2023.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Casodex.

Applies to bicalutamide: oral tablet Side Effects associated with bicalutamide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Casodex.

Applies to bicalutamide: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not use bicalutamide (the active ingredient contained in Casodex) tablets. Using this medicine while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. It may also cause birth defects if the father is using it when his sexual partner becomes pregnant. Male patients who have female partners should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for 130 days after the last dose. If you think your female partner has become pregnant while using this medicine, tell your doctor right away.

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem.

Bicalutamide may cause serious bleeding when you use it together with a blood thinner medicine (eg, warfarin). Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

This medicine may cause swelling of the breasts (gynecomastia) and breast pain in some patients. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

Using this medicine with an LHRH analog may affect your blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor.

This medicine may affect the results of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, which may be used to detect prostate cancer. Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.

If you plan to have children, talk with your doctor before using this medicine. This medicine may cause some men to become infertile (unable to have children), at least temporarily.

This medicine may make you sleepy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Casodex

Along with its needed effects, bicalutamide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking bicalutamide:

Other side effects of Casodex

Some side effects of bicalutamide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to bicalutamide: oral tablet.

General adverse events

In patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with this drug in combination with an LHRH analog, the most frequent adverse reaction was hot flashes (53%).^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hot flashes (53%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, hypertension, angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, coronary arrest, coronary artery disorder, syncope^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Pain (35%), asthenia (22%), peripheral edema (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Weight loss, weight gain, fever, chills, hernia, cyst^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Constipation (22%), pelvic pain (21%), nausea (15%), diarrhea (12%), abdominal pain (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, flatulence, vomiting, melena, rectal hemorrhage, dry mouth, dysphagia, GI disorder, periodontal abscess, GI carcinoma^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased liver enzyme test, alkaline phosphatase increased, elevated AST, elevated ALT, elevated bilirubin

Genitourinary

• Very common (10% or more): Nocturia (12%), hematuria (12%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, gynecomastia, impotence, breast pain, urinary frequency, urinary retention, urinary impaired, urinary incontinence, decreased libido, dysuria, urinary urgency, hydronephrosis, urinary tract disorder^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia, hyperglycemia, bone pain, myasthenia, edema, BUN Increased, creatinine increased, dehydration, gout, hypercholesteremia^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Anemia (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Decreased hemoglobin, decreased white cell count
• Postmarketing reports: Increased PT/INR due to interaction between coumarin anticoagulants and this drug; serious bleeding reported^[Ref]

Renal

• Common (1% to 10%): Elevated creatinine^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Back pain (25%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, neck pain, leg cramps, myalgia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, neuropathy, hypertonia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cough, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, rhinitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lung disorder, asthma, epistaxis, sinusitis
• Postmarketing reports: Interstitial lung disease (sometimes fatal) including interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis, most often at doses greater than 50 mg^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash, sweating, dry skin, alopecia, pruritus, herpes zoster, skin carcinoma, skin disorder
• Postmarketing reports: Photosensitivity^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Very common (10% or more): Infection (18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza syndrome^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Specified cataract^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, anxiety, depression, confusion, somnolence, nervousness^[Ref]

Oncologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Neoplasm^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What happens when you stop taking Casodex?
• How long should you take Casodex for?
• How effective is Casodex for prostate cancer?
• Is Casodex a form of Chemotherapy?

Further information

Casodex side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer