Calutide 50mg Tablets (Bicalutamide)

Calutide general information

What is Calutide used for?

Calutide tablets 50mg are used to treat prostate cancer which is in an advanced stage. Calutide 50 is used in combination with another medication, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist that induces medical castration, which means that testosterone is no longer produced by the testes and this helps in the treatment of prostate cancer. Alternatively, Calutide tablets 50mg are used in combination with surgical castration. Calutide tablets 50mg may be used to prevent disease flare associated with the use of LHRH agonist therapy, which is when large amounts of testosterone are suddenly produced in response to LHRH, before its production is switched off, and may be painful or harmful in advanced prostate cancer which has become metastatic (spread to other sites outside the prostate).

How does Calutide work?

Calutide tablets 50mg contain bicalutamide, a non-steroidal anti-androgen, which acts as a testosterone analogue as it is similar in structure to testosterone and binds to the same receptor in prostate cells but without activating any normal testosterone actions. Prostate cancer is a testosterone-dependent tumour, which means that it needs testosterone to grow. Testosterone is an androgen or male hormone that is produced in the testes and is responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics, such as facial hair and increased muscle mass; it is also required for the prostate gland to function normally. Bicalutamide in Calutide 50 binds to the androgen receptor in prostate cancer cells, which blocks the stimulation by testosterone of cancer cell growth and helps slow or prevent progression of the tumour.

What does Calutide contain?

Calutide tablets 50mg contains the active ingredient bicalutamide, a non-steroidal anti-androgen, which acts as a testosterone analogue to treat prostate cancer.

Treating prostate cancer with Calutide

Calutide tablets 50mg contain bicalutamide, an anti-androgen used to treat prostate cancer that is in an advanced stage. Prostate cancer is a testosterone-dependent tumour, which means that it needs testosterone to grow. Testosterone is an androgen or male hormone that is produced in the testes and is responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics, such as facial hair and increased muscle mass; it is also required for the prostate gland to function normally. Bicalutamide in Calutide 50 acts as a testosterone analogue, as it is similar in structure to testosterone, and binds to the same receptor in prostate cells but without activating any normal testosterone actions. When bicalutamide binds to the androgen receptor in prostate cancer cells, it blocks the stimulation by testosterone of cancer cell growth and helps slow or prevent progression of the tumour. Treatment with Calutide 50 is usually in combination with another medication, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist that induces medical castration, which means that testosterone is no longer produced by the testes and this helps in the treatment of prostate cancer. Alternatively, Calutide tablets 50mg are used in combination with surgical castration. Calutide tablets 50mg are also used to prevent disease flare associated with the use of LHRH agonist therapy, which is when large amounts of testosterone are suddenly produced in response to LHRH, before its production is switched off, and may be painful or harmful in advanced prostate cancer which has become metastatic (spread to other sites outside the prostate).

What are the side effects of Calutide?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Calutide include: hot flushes, gynaecomastia (breast tenderness), diarrhoea, nausea, itching or dry skin, asthenia (feeling weak), jaundice.

When should Calutide not be used?

You should not use Calutide 50 if you:

• are allergic to bicalutamide or any ingredients in Calutide 50
• are a woman (particularly if pregnant or breastfeeding), as this medication is only for use by men
• have liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Calutide, including: the anticoagulant warfarin, the antihistamines terfenadine and astemizole, cisapride for indigestion, the immunosuppressant cyclosporin

How should Calutide be taken?

You should take your Calutide tablets 50mg with a glass of water, with or without food, once daily. You should continue to take your Calutide 50 tablets for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Calutide?

You should continue to take your Calutide 50 tablets for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Calutide

If you miss a dose of Calutide 50 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Calutide be stored?

You should store your Calutide below 30°C in a cool dry place.