CALUTIDE 50 mg Tablet

CALUTIDE 50MG contains Bicalutamide which belongs to the group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-androgens. It is indicated for the treatment of metastatic prostate carcinoma (stage D2) either alone or in combination with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs. Metastatic prostate carcinoma is the cancer of prostate gland, where the tumor growth has spread to different parts of the body.

Bicalutamide blocks the undesirable effects produced by androgens (male sex hormone) and inhibits the growth of cancer cells in prostate.

This medicine is intended for use only in men. It can be taken with or without food. During this treatment, regular monitoring of serum Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is required to access the patient’s response.

Bicalutamide might have an effect on male fertility which could be reversible. Consult your doctor if this is a concern for you.

Male patients who have a female partner who can become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with this medicine and for 130 days after final dose.

Treatment with this medicine can increase the sensitivity of skin towards sunlight. Avoid sunlight and sunlamps, and always consider using a sunscreen during this treatment.

Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you have any kidney or liver disease. CALUTIDE 50MG is strictly not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

USES OF CALUTIDE 50MG:

Treats metastatic prostate carcinoma

HOW CALUTIDE 50MG WORKS:

CALUTIDE 50MG inhibits the growth of malignant prostatic tissue by competing with androgen for binding to androgen receptors.

This blocks the action of androgens from adrenal and testicular origin and reduces the growth and proliferation of cancer cells.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:

Take CALUTIDE 50MG as directed by your physician. It can be taken with or without food. Swallow the medicine as whole with a glass of water.

Do not crush or chew the medicine. Try taking this medicine at the same time each day. Your doctor will decide the correct dose for you depending upon your condition.
Continue to take this medicine, as long as your doctor tells you to do so, to obtain better results.

SIDE EFFECTS OF CALUTIDE 50MG:

SERIOUS

Liver problems (including yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice), dark urine, right upper stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, loss of appetite, chills or fever)
Allergic reactions (such as skin rash, swelling of face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty in breathing)
Bleeding problems
Gynecomastia (breast enlargement in males)
Breast pain in males

COMMON

Hot flashes
Body pain
Feeling weak
Constipation or diarrhea
Infection
Nausea, dizziness
Swelling in your arms, ankles, legs or feet
Shortness of breath
Blood in your urine
Frequent urination at night
Anemia
Reduced sex drive

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS:

Feeling sick (nausea):

Try taking this medicine with, or just after meal. Stick to simple meals. Do not eat rich or spicy food.

Constipation:

Eat fibre rich foods like fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals. Drink plenty of water. Exercise more regularly.

Diarrhea:

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or juice, to avoid dehydration. Do not take any medicines without speaking to a doctor.

Stomach pain:

Try to rest and relax. You can eat and drink slowly or have smaller and frequent meals. Keeping a heat pad on your stomach may also help. If still pain persists, speak to your doctor.

INTERACTIONS:

Talk to your doctor, if you are taking,

Medicines used to stop blood clotting (e.g. warfarin)
Terfenadine and astemizole (used to treat hay fever)
Cisapride (used to treat stomach problems)
Ciclosporin (used to suppress immune system)
Cimetidine (used to treat stomach ulcers)
Ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infection)
Calcium channel blockers (used to treat high blood pressure) such as amlodipine, verapamil

SYNOPSIS:

Drug : Bicalutamide
Pharmacological Category : Antineoplastic agent, Non-steroidal anti-androgens
Therapeutic Indication : Metastatic prostate carcinoma
Dosage Forms : Tablet

MORE INFORMATION:

Store below 20-25°C and keep out of reach of children.

FAQ’s ABOUT CALUTIDE 50MG:

Q: Can CALUTIDE 50MG cause anemia?
A: Yes. This medicine can cause anemia. Regularly monitor your blood counts and follow the instruction given by your doctor.

Q: Can CALUTIDE 50MG be discontinued abruptly?
A: No. Do not stop taking this medicine without your doctor?s advice. It may lead to unwanted side effects.

Q: Can CALUTIDE 50MG cause infertility?
A: Yes. This medicine can interfere with fertility in men. You might experience reduced sex drive or improper erection which is usually reversible.

USES OF CALUTIDE TABLET

• Prostate cancer

BENEFITS OF CALUTIDE TABLET

In Prostate cancer

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.

Calutide 50 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 CALUTIDE 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 Calutide

• Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
• Rash
• Abdominal pain
• Breast enlargement in male
• Breast tenderness
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite
• Decreased libido
• Depression
• Dizziness
• Indigestion
• Flatulence
• Hot flashes
• Increased liver enzymes
• Nausea
• Sleepiness
• Weakness
• Weight gain

HOW TO USE CALUTIDE 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.
Calutide 50 Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

HOW CALUTIDE TABLET WORKS

Calutide 50 Tablet blocks the effect of the natural male hormones on the growth of prostate cells. Calutide 50 Tablet also blocks the undesired effects of androgens in females such as excessive hair growth and acne.

SAFETY ADVICE

Alcohol

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Calutide 50 Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy

Calutide 50 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

Information regarding the use of Calutide 50 Tablet during breastfeeding is not available. Please consult your doctor.

Driving

Calutide 50 Tablet does not usually affect your ability to drive.

Kidney

Calutide 50 Tablet is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Calutide 50 Tablet is recommended.

Liver

Calutide 50 Tablet should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Calutide 50 Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Regular monitoring of liver function tests is advisable while you are taking this medicine.

FAQs

Q. Can Calutide 50 Tablet cause infertility?

There is limited data to support that Calutide 50 Tablet causes infertility. Calutide 50 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 Calutide 50 Tablet?

Skin sensitivity has been observed in some patients while taking Calutide 50 Tablet. Therefore, you should avoid direct sun exposure, sunlamps, and tanning beds. It is advised to use a sunscreen during treatment with Calutide 50 Tablet.

Q. Is Calutide 50 Tablet a form of chemotherapy?

No, Calutide 50 Tablet is not a form of chemotherapy medicine, it is anti-androgen medicine. Androgens such as testosterone are natural male sex hormones. Calutide 50 Tablet works by blocking the effect of androgens (testosterone) in order to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Q. Does Calutide 50 Tablet cause hair loss?

Yes, Calutide 50 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.