Calumide 50

Introduction
Calumide 50 is used in the treatment of cancer of the prostate gland. It may be also used to treat other conditions, as determined by the doctor. It works by blocking the effects of male hormones such as testosterone. Calumide 50 should be taken with or without food, preferably at a fixed time every day. Your doctor will decide what dose is necessary and how often you need to take it. This will depend on what you are being treated for and may change from time to time. You should take it exactly as your doctor has advised. Taking it in the wrong way or taking too much can cause very serious side effects. It may take several weeks or months for you to see or feel the benefits but do not stop taking it unless your doctor tells you to. Anemia (low number of red blood cells) is very common side effect of this medicine. Other than this, yellowing of skin, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, dark urine, and skin rashes are some side effects which require immediate action. Regular blood tests are required to check your blood cells along with liver function during treatment with this medicine. It makes your skin more sensitive towards sunlight, hence take extra caution while going out. Before taking it, tell your doctor if have diabetes, liver, or kidney problems or are taking any medicines to treat infections. Many other medicines can affect, or be affected by, this medicine so let your doctor know all medications you are using. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It may harm your baby. The use of effective contraception by both males and females during treatment is important to avoid pregnancy. You may be asked for regular monitoring of blood glucose level while on treatment.

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Uses of Calumide 50
Prostate cancer
Side effects of Calumide 50
Common
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 Calumide 50
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. Calumide 50 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Calumide 50 works
Calumide 50 blocks the effect of the natural male hormones on the growth of prostate cells. Calumide 50 also blocks the undesired effects of androgens in females such as excessive hair growth and acne.
Quick Tips
You have been prescribed Calumide 50 for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Take it with or without food, preferably at the same time every day.
It may cause your skin to become light sensitive. Avoid direct exposure to excessive sunlight and use sunscreen when outdoors.
If you are diabetic, monitor your blood glucose regularly while taking Calumide 50.
Your doctor may want you to have regular blood tests to monitor your liver function while you are taking this medicine. Inform your doctor if you notice yellowing of eyes or skin, dark urine, or stomach pain.
Do not stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor first.
Brief Description
Indication
Prostate Cancer
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Oral Palliative treatment of advanced prostate cancer Adult: When used with gonadorelin analogue: Usual dose: 50 mg once daily. May be started with or at least 3 days before starting gonadorelin analogue therapy. Monotherapy or adjuvant therapy to surgery or radiotherapy in locally advanced prostatic cancer Adult: 150 mg once daily.

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Contraindication
Hypersensitivity. Females, children. Pregnancy, lactation.
Mode of Action
Bicalutamide competes with androgen for the binding of androgen receptors, consequently blocking the action of androgens of adrenal and testicular origin, thus preventing the growth of normal and malignant prostatic tissue.
Precaution
Monitor liver function regularly in hepatically impaired patients on prolonged therapy. Monitoring serum levels of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) may be useful in evaluating the patient’s clincial progress. Lactation: Bicalutamide is not indicated for use in women.

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Side Effect
>10% Hot flashes (53%),General pain (35%),Back pain (25%),Asthenia (22%),Constipation (22%),Pelvic pain (21%),Infection (18%),Nausea (15%),Dyspnea (13%),Edema (13%),Peripheral edema (13%),Diarrhea (12%),Hematuria (12%),Nocturia (12%),Abdominal pain (11%),Anemia (11%) 1-10% Gynecomastia (9%),Rash (9%),UTI (9%),Chest pain (8%),Hypertension (8%),Vomiting (8%),Flu like symptoms (7%),Headache (7%),LFTs elevation (7%),Weight loss (7%),Anorexia (6%),Breast pain (6%),Anxiety (5%) Arthritis (5%)

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Pregnancy Category Note
Pregnancy Contraindicated for use in pregnant women because it can cause fetal harm; not indicated for use in females; there are no human data on use in pregnant women; in animal reproduction studies, oral administration of bicalutamide to pregnant rats during organogenesis caused abnormal development of reproductive organs in male fetuses at exposures approximately 0.7 to 2 times the human exposure at recommended dose Lactation Not indicated for use in pregnant women; there is no information available on presence of bicalutamide in human milk, or on effects on breastfed infant or on milk production; bicalutamide has been detected in rat milk

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Interaction
Enhances effect of coumarin anticoagulants.