Cosamide 50 (Bicalutamide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Cosamide 50 Used For?
Cosamide 50 contains bicalutamide, an anti-androgen medicine that interferes with male sex hormones like testosterone. It’s specifically designed to help treat advanced prostate cancer by blocking hormones that may help cancer cells grow.
Primary Uses
Cosamide 50 is used in combination with other medicines to treat advanced prostate cancer. It should only be taken by men.
How It Works
Androgens such as testosterone are natural male sex hormones. In some types of prostate cancer, these hormones may help the cancer cells grow. Cosamide 50 interferes with some of the actions of these hormones, helping to slow cancer progression.
Good to know: Cosamide 50 is not addictive.
How to Take Cosamide 50
Take Cosamide 50 exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medication should be started at the same time as other prostate cancer treatments and taken consistently each day.
Dosage Instructions
The usual adult dose is one 50 mg tablet taken each day. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Take it at about the same time each day for best results. It doesn’t matter if you take it before, with, or after food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. If it’s more than 12 hours, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- hot flushes or sweating
- breast tenderness or changes in breast size
- itching or dry skin, rashes
- increased hairiness or hair loss
- stomach pain or indigestion
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea or constipation
- flatulence (wind)
- dry mouth
- loss of appetite or weight changes
- depression
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- dizziness or light-headedness
- difficulty sleeping
- headache
- chills
- pelvic pain
- decrease in sexual drive
- inability to get or maintain an erection
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- frequent urination
- shortness of breath and dizziness when exercising and looking pale (anemia)
- excessive thirst with weight loss and passing large amounts of urine
- chest pain
- yellowing of the skin or eyes and dark colored urine
- rash, hives or severe itching of the skin
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or throat
- swelling of hands, feet or ankles
- serious breathlessness or sudden worsening of breathlessness, possibly with cough or fever
- shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before taking Cosamide 50. Make sure to discuss your complete medical history with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Cosamide 50
Do not take Cosamide 50 if you: are a woman (this medication is only for men), have an allergy to bicalutamide or any ingredients in the tablet, are allergic to other anti-androgen medicines, are taking cisapride or the antihistamines terfenadine and astemizole, or if the medication is expired or damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver problems, as it may not be safe to take Cosamide 50. Also inform your doctor about any allergies to medicines, foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Women should not take Cosamide 50. For men taking this medication, it may cause temporary low fertility or infertility. Since Cosamide 50 may affect sperm, effective contraception must be used by you and/or your partner while taking this medicine and for at least 130 days after stopping treatment.
For Men Only: This medication is only prescribed for men and should never be taken by women or given to children.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Cosamide 50 or be affected by it. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Important: You may need different amounts of your medicines or different medicines altogether when taking Cosamide 50.
- cisapride
- antihistamines (terfenadine and astemizole)
- blood thinners (especially warfarin)
- midazolam
- ciclosporin
- calcium channel blockers (for high blood pressure)
- carbamazepine
- quinidine
- antiviral medicines for HIV infection
- cimetidine
- ketoconazole
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious about activities requiring alertness until you know how Cosamide 50 affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings were provided in the medication information.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Cosamide 50 affects you. Some patients may feel dizzy or weak while taking this medication.
Temperature Regulation
No specific temperature regulation warnings were mentioned.
Storage
Keep your Cosamide 50 tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them – removing them early will affect how well they keep. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is ideal.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Cosamide 50, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26 for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication information doesn’t specify how long Cosamide 50 takes to work. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular appointments to assess how well the treatment is working for you.
Yes, it doesn’t matter if you take Cosamide 50 before, with, or after food. Take it at about the same time each day for best results.
No, Cosamide 50 is not addictive.
Do not stop taking Cosamide 50 or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor first. Continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you to.
The medication information doesn’t provide specific warnings about alcohol use with Cosamide 50. However, you should discuss alcohol consumption with your doctor.
If it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. If it’s more than 12 hours, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. Never take a double dose.
No, Cosamide 50 should never be taken by women. This medication is specifically designed for men with prostate cancer and should only be used by male patients.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.