Casodex Side Effects

   My husband started Casodex in Jan.(he has also been getting hormone shots every 4 months for 2 yrs. and psa started to rise),and he has gained a few pounds around his waist even though diet is basicly unchanged.We are wondering if this could from the Casodex and if so has any one else found a way to offset this problem(it has caused him to have back problems ,the chiropractor said it is the weight that has caused that ,muscle spasms , ,etc.). Also ,will the side effects diminish in time( slight hot flashes and and a couple other minor problems) ?

Carol Mac 

Carol Mac: 

It is more likely that this change you mention is a result of long term LHRH treatment (hormone therapy shots). The reduction of male hormones in this way has known side effects which include an increased glycemic index, which is a mimic of diabetes, and also weight gain, particularly in the girdle of the body. This is also seen in post-menopause women who have this same thickening or accumulation of fatty tissue in the belly and hips due to their natural diminution of hormone. It can be difficult to offset, and diet and exercise may have some effect, but usually are not as effective as in an untreated individual showing the same signs. This effect usually takes some time to appear and the two years or so you mention is enough. Casodex itself is unlikely to be the cause of this change.

I also had to have Casodex to shrink my prostate but I was given a combination of Zoladex implant and Casodex. They are made by the same company and are designed to work together. Their action of working together tends to offset some of the effects of the other drug specifically swelling of the breast in men which maybe related to the additional weight put on the waist. I was on the two for 3 months and then changed the Casodex to Avadart for 6 weeks. The last six weeks of the Zoladex implant was by itself and I have experienced swelling of the breast tissue but that is expected to decrease now that the implant is used up.