Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Van-Bicalutamide
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP are used in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer in combination with other drugs (LHRH analogues) which reduce the levels of androgens in the body or surgery.
What it does:
Androgens are male sex hormones within the body which can cause tumour growth within the prostate. VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP belong to a group of medicines called non-steroidal anti-androgens. This means that VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP interfere with some of the actions of androgens to prevent the tumour from growing.
What are the Stages of Prostate Cancer:
Localized disease – the early stages of disease when
prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland.
Locally advanced disease – the disease progresses and
the cancer spreads to other tissues within the pelvis.
Advanced or metastatic disease – the disease
progresses to other parts of the body.
The PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test is a simple blood test for a protein produced by the prostate (PSA). This test has helped in the detection of prostate cancer resulting in an increase in the number of men whose prostate cancer is detected at an early stage.
What are the Treatment Options for Localized Prostate Cancer:
The optimal treatment for a given individual will depend on the specific circumstances of his case. For localized disease, patients are usually offered one of the following:
- Surgery to remove the prostate
Targeted radiotherapy to kill the cancer cells in the
prostate
No treatment initially (watchful waiting) whereby the
patient is monitored until there are signs of progression before treatment is started.
When it should not be used:
Do not take VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP if you have
early phase (localized) prostate cancer requiring
watchful waiting.
- Do not take VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP if you are allergic to bicalutamide or any of the nonmedicinal ingredients in VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets.
VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP must not be taken by women, including pregnant women or mothers who are breast feeding their babies.
- VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP must not be given to children.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
The active ingredient in VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP is bicalutamide, USP.
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose E5, polyethylene glycol 400, povidone K-30, sodium starch glycollate and titanium dioxide.
What dosage forms it comes in:
VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP come in tablets containing 50 milligrams (mg) of bicalutamide, USP as the active ingredient.
VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP come in blister strips of 15 tablets, 30 tablets per package and in bottles of 30 tablets and 100 tablets.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
PRECAU
- VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP should only be prescribed by a doctor experienced with the treatment of prostate cancer.
- VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP 150 mg/day dose should not be used.
- VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP may rarely be associated with liver failure; some cases have been fatal.
- VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP may be associated with uncommon cases of interstitial lung disease; some cases have been fatal.
BEFORE you use VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP talk to your doctor or pharmacist if:
- You have liver disease.
- You have lung disease.
- You have low bone mineral density (BMD).
- You have low red blood cell count (anemia).
- You have heart disease, or have a heart condition called ‘long QT syndrome’ or family history of this heart condition.
If you go into hospital let the medical staff know you are taking VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP.
VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP may make you feel sleepy. Do not drive or use machines until you know how the drug affects you.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
Please inform your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, even those not prescribed.
In particular please inform your doctor if you are taking oral
anti-coagulants (to prevent blood clots)
If you are taking any medicines that may increase the risk of
having an abnormal heart rhythm.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Follow your doctor's instructions about when and how to take your tablets. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
- The usual adult dose is 50 mg daily.
- Swallow the tablet(s) whole with a drink of water.
- Try to take your dose at the same time each day.
During the first few months of use, you may be monitored by your physician for signs of changes in your liver function. In approximately 2.0% of patients, such changes may lead to withdrawal of therapy.
If you experience a rise in PSA while taking VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP, your physician may discontinue VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP for several weeks in order to monitor your condition off treatment.
Overdose:
In case of drug overdose, contact a health care practitioner, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.
Missed Dose:
You should take VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP as prescribed. However, if you miss a dose do not take an extra dose, just resume your usual schedule.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Like all medicines, VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP 50 mg can have side effects.
Side effects that are very common (more than 10 in every 100 patients are likely to have them):
- dizziness
- nausea
- hot flushes
- feeling weak
- decreased red blood cell count (anemia)
- puffiness/swelling
- constipation
Side effects that are common (1 to 10 in every 100 patients are likely to have them):
- loss of appetite
- reduced sex drive
depression
- sleepiness
- indigestion
- flatulence
- loss of hair or hair re-growth
- rash
- itching
- dry skin
- impotence
- chest pain
- tender or enlarged breast tissue
- weight gain
- heart failure
- heart attack
Occasionally VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP may be associated with changes in your blood which may require your doctor to do certain blood tests.
| SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY | |||||
| HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM | |||||
| Symptom / effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking drug and seek immediate emergency medical attention | |||
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||||
| Very Common (more than 10 in every 100 patients are likely to have them) | |||||
| Blood in urine | √ | ||||
| Abdominal pain | √ | ||||
| Common (1 to 10 in every 100 patients are likely to have them) | |||||
| Yellow skin and eyes (jaundice). These may be symptoms of liver damage. | √ | ||||
| Heart failure (reduced heart function) | √ | ||||
| Heart attack | √ | ||||
| Uncommon (1 to 10 in every 1000 patients are likely to have them) | |||||
Serious breathlessness, or sudden worsening of breathlessness, possibly with a cough or fever. Some patients taking VAN- Bicalutamide Tablets USP 50 mg get an inflammation of the lungs called interstitial lung disease. | √ | ||||
| Severe itching of the skin (with raised lumps) or swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat, which may cause difficulty in swallowing | √ | ||||
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you think you have any of these or any other problems with your tablets.
| IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ |
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking VAN-Bicalutamide Tablets USP, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
- Keep your tablets in the container they came in.
- Do not take your tablets after the expiry date on the container. Dispose of them in an appropriate way.
- Keep your tablets in a safe place where children cannot see or reach them. Your tablets could harm them.
Keep your tablets at room temperature (15°C to 30°C).
REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following 3 ways:
- Report online at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
- Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:
- Fax toll-free to 1-866-678-6789, or
Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program
Health Canada
Postal Locator 0701E Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9
Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffect™ Canada Web site at www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, please contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
MORE INFORMATION
NOTE: This CONSUMER INFORMATION leaflet provides you with the most current information at the time of printing.
This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found by contacting:
Manufacturer and Distributor:
Vanc Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Building 152, 11782 River Road
Richmond, BC V6X 1Z7
www.vancpharm.com
Help line: 1-877-929-0699
Email: safety@vancpharm.com