Hi Mallie, sorry to hear what you Dads going though, by the look of it, his condition of terrible Hot Flashes is not cause by his Casodex treatment. but by the reduction, or lack of testosterone, in his whole body. My doctor got me on the Drug Trinovin. At 4 times the normal dose it has a smilier effect, but only on the prostrate cancer, not on my whole body. I don't know if this will help but , here a list of Side Effects of the Drug Bicalutamide,Who's Know product Name is Casodex this is taken straight off the Casodex site All the best Ray
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/casodex-side-effects.html
Please note - some side effects for Casodex may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).
Side Effects of Casodex - for the ConsumerCasodex
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Casodex:
Back, pelvic, stomach, or general body pain; constipation; decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; dizziness; frequent urination, especially at night; gas; headache; hot flashes; nausea; stomach upset; sweating; trouble sleeping; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Casodex:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; difficulty swallowing; unusual hoarseness); black or bloody stools; blurred vision or other vision changes; bone pain; breast growth or pain; changes in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; dark or bloody urine; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; flu-like symptoms; increased hunger, thirst, or urination; joint pain, stiffness, or swelling; loss of appetite; mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, depression); muscle aches or weakness; numbness or tingling of the skin; severe or persistent cough; severe or persistent dizziness, drowsiness, or headache; severe or persistent nausea or stomach pain; shortness of breath; swelling of the ankles, legs, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; weight change; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
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Casodex Side Effects - for the ProfessionalCasodex
In patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with Casodex in combination with an LHRH analogue, the most frequent adverse experience was hot flashes (53%).
In the multicenter, double-blind, controlled clinical trial comparing Casodex 50 mg once daily with flutamide 250 mg three times a day, each in combination with an LHRH analogue, the following adverse experiences with an incidence of 5% or greater, regardless of causality, have been reported.
Table 2 Incidence of Adverse Events (≥ 5% in Either Treatment Group) Regardless of Causality| * Increased liver enzyme test includes increases in AST, ALT or both. † Anemia includes anemia, hypochronic- and iron deficiency anemia. |
Body System Adverse Event | Treatment Group Number of Patients (%) |
| Casodex Plus LHRH Analogue (n=401) | Flutamide Plus LHRH Analogue (n=407) |
Body as a Whole | | |
Pain (General) | 142(35) | 127(31) |
Back Pain | 102(25) | 105(26) |
Asthenia | 89(22) | 87(21) |
Pelvic Pain | 85(21) | 70(17) |
Infection | 71(18) | 57(14) |
Abdominal Pain | 46(11) | 46(11) |
Chest Pain | 34(8) | 34(8) |
Headache | 29(7) | 27(7) |
Flu Syndrome | 28(7) | 30(7) |
Cardiovascular | | |
Hot Flashes | 211(53) | 217(53) |
Hypertension | 34(8) | 29(7) |
Digestive | | |
Constipation | 87(22) | 69(17) |
Nausea | 62(15) | 58(14) |
Diarrhea | 49(12) | 107(26) |
Increased Liver Enzyme Test* | 30(7) | 46(11) |
Dyspepsia | 30(7) | 23(6) |
Flatulence | 26(6) | 22(5) |
Anorexia | 25(6) | 29(7) |
Vomiting | 24(6) | 32(8) |
Hemic and Lymphatic | | |
Anemia† | 45(11) | 53(13) |
Metabolic and Nutritional | | |
Peripheral Edema | 53(13) | 42(10) |
Weight Loss | 30(7) | 39(10) |
Hyperglycemia | 26(6) | 27(7) |
Alkaline Phosphatase Increased | 22(5) | 24(6) |
Weight Gain | 22(5) | 18(4) |
Muscoloskeletal | | |
Bone Pain | 37(9) | 43(11) |
Myasthenia | 27(7) | 19(5) |
Arthritis | 21(5) | 29(7) |
Pathological Fracture | 17(4) | 32(8) |
Nervous System | | |
Dizziness | 41(10) | 35(9) |
Paresthesia | 31(8) | 40(10) |
Insomnia | 27(7) | 39(10) |
Anxiety | 20(5) | 9(2) |
Depression | 16(4) | 33(8) |
Respiratory System | | |
Dyspnea | 51(13) | 32(8) |
Cough Increased | 33(8) | 24(6) |
Pharyngitis | 32(8) | 23(6) |
Bronchitis | 24(6) | 22(3) |
Pneumonia | 18(4) | 19(5) |
Rhinitis | 15(4) | 22(5) |
Skin and Appendages | | |
Rash | 35(9) | 30(7) |
Sweating | 25(6) | 20(5) |
Urogenital | | |
Nocturia | 49(12) | 55(14) |
Hematuria | 48(12) | 26(6) |
Urinary Tract Infection | 35(9) | 36(9) |
Gynecomastia | 36(9) | 30(7) |
Impotence | 27(7) | 35(9) |
Breast Pain | 23(6) | 15(4) |
Urinary Frequency | 23(6) | 29(7) |
Urinary Retention | 20(5) | 14(3) |
Urinary Impaired | 19(5) | 15(4) |
Urinary Incontinence | 15(4) | 32(8) |
Other adverse experiences (greater than or equal to 2%, but less than 5%) reported in the Casodex-LHRH analogue treatment group are listed below by body system and are in order of decreasing frequency within each body system regardless of causality.
Body as a Whole: Neoplasm; Neck pain; Fever; Chills; Sepsis; Hernia; Cyst
Cardiovascular: Angina pectoris; Congestive heart failure; Myocardial infarct; Heart arrest; Coronary artery disorder; Syncope
Digestive: Melena; Rectal hemorrhage; Dry mouth; Dysphagia; Gastrointestinal disorder; Periodontal abscess; Gastrointestinal carcinoma
Metabolic and Nutritional: Edema; Bun increased; Creatinine increased; Dehydration; Gout; Hypercholesteremia
Musculoskeletal: Myalgia; Leg cramps
Nervous: Hypertonia; Confusion; Somnolence; Libido decreased; Neuropathy; Nervousness
Respiratory: Lung disorder; Asthma; Epistaxis; Sinusitis
Skin and Appendages: Dry skin; Alopecia; Pruritus; Herpes zoster; Skin carcinoma; Skin disorder
Special Senses: Cataract specified
Urogenital: Dysuria; Urinary urgency; Hydronephrosis; Urinary tract disorder
Abnormal Laboratory Test Values:
Laboratory abnormalities including elevated AST, ALT, bilirubin, BUN, and creatinine and decreased hemoglobin and white cell count have been reported in both Casodex-LHRH analogue treated and flutamide-LHRH analogue treated patients.
Postmarketing Experience:
Uncommon cases of hypersensitivity reactions, including angioneurotic edema and urticaria, and uncommon cases of interstitial lung disease, including interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis, have been reported with Casodex.
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Side Effects by Body SystemOther
Unless otherwise noted, all data below refer to patients treated concurrently with bicalutamide and a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogue (goserelin acetate or leuprolide acetate).
Cardiovascular
Cardiovascular system side effects include the most frequently encountered side effect, hot flashes, which has been reported in approximately 49% of treated patients. Hypertension has also been reported.
General
General side effects are also very common and have included generalized pain (27%), back pain (15%), asthenia (15%), pelvic pain (13%), and infection (10%). Abdominal and chest pain, headache, and flu syndrome have also been reported.
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal effects are common and have included constipation (17%), nausea (11%), and diarrhea (10%). Flatulence and vomiting have also been reported.
Hepatic
Hepatic side effects including severe liver injury leading to hospitalization and death have been reported rarely. Hepatitis or marked increases in liver enzymes leading to drug discontinuation have been reported in approximately 1% of bicalutamide patients. One case of fulminant hepatic failure associated with bicalutamide use has also been reported.
Increased values in liver enzyme tests include increased AST, ALT, or both. This effect has occurred in approximately 6% of treated patients.
Genitourinary
Genitourinary side effects are somewhat common and include nocturia, hematuria, urinary tract infection, impotence, and urinary incontinence.
Metabolic
Metabolic effects are somewhat common and include peripheral edema, hyperglycemia, and weight loss.
Hematologic
Hematologic side effects include anemia (7%) and decreased white blood cell counts.
Renal
Renal side effects including new or worsened renal insufficiency (as measured by elevated BUN and creatinine) have been reported.
Musculoskeletal
Musculoskeletal complaints include bone pain. This may be due to underlying disease.
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects including dizziness, paresthesia, and insomnia have been reported.
Respiratory
Respiratory system side effects including dyspnea have been reported. Uncommon cases of interstitial lung disease, including interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis have been reported with the use of bicalutamide. One case of pneumonitis has also been reported.
Dermatologic
Dermatologic side effects including rash and sweating have been reported.
Endocrine
Bicalutamide has not been approved for use as monotherapy.
In one phase II clinical trial with bicalutamide used as a single agent, breast tenderness, breast swelling, and hot flashes were reported in 63.4%, 52.5%, and 23.6% of treated patients, respectively.
Another phase II clinical trial with bicalutamide used as a single agent reported breast pain, and gynecomastia in 76% and 60% of treated patients, respectively. This study also showed generalized pain in 30% of treated patients, hot flashes in 28%, pelvic pain in 26%, and libido decrease and impotence, both at 25%.
Endocrine system side effects including gynecomastia (38%) and breast pain (39%) have been reported with the use of bicalutamide as a single agent. Several cases of decreases in prostate specific antigen (PSA) after withdrawal of bicalutamide therapy (referred to as antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome) have been reported.
Hypersensitivity
Hypersensitivity side effects including angioneurotic edema and urticaria have been reported.