Cosudex (Bicalutamide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Cosudex Used For?
Cosudex contains bicalutamide, an anti-androgen medicine that interferes with the actions of male sex hormones like testosterone. It is specifically designed for men with advanced prostate cancer.
Primary Uses
Cosudex is used in combination with other medicines to treat advanced prostate cancer. It should only be taken by men.
How It Works
Cosudex is an anti-androgen medicine. In some types of prostate cancer, androgens (natural male sex hormones like testosterone) may help cancer cells grow. Cosudex interferes with some of the actions of these hormones to help treat the cancer.
How to Take Cosudex
Take Cosudex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It should be started at the same time as other medicines prescribed for your prostate cancer treatment.
Dosage Instructions
The usual adult dose is one 50 mg tablet taken each day. Swallow your Cosudex tablet whole with a full glass of water. Take it at about the same time each day. It doesn’t matter if you take it before, with, or after food. Continue taking Cosudex for as long as your doctor tells you.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss your dose at the usual time, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it is 12 hours before the next dose is due. If it is less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
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
- stomach pain or indigestion
- nausea or vomiting
- diarrhea or constipation
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- dizziness or light-headedness
- headache
- chills
- itching or dry skin, rashes
- increased hairiness or hair loss
- flatulence (wind)
- dry mouth
- loss of appetite or weight changes
- depression
- difficulty sleeping
- pelvic pain
- decrease in sexual drive
- inability to get or maintain an erection
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- 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 other parts of the body including hands, feet or ankles
- serious breathlessness, or sudden worsening of breathlessness, possibly with a cough or fever
- shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
- frequent urination
- dizziness when exercising and looking pale (anemia)
- excessive thirst with weight loss, and passing large amounts of urine
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Cosudex.
Who Should Not Take Cosudex
Do not use Cosudex if you are allergic to bicalutamide or any other ingredients, if you are allergic to other anti-androgen medicines, if you are taking cisapride or the antihistamines terfenadine and astemizole, or if you are a woman.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have liver problems (it may not be safe to take Cosudex), heart or blood vessel conditions including heart rhythm problems (the risk of further heart rhythm problems may increase), or if you have allergies to medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Cosudex if you are a woman. Cosudex may cause a period of low fertility or infertility while taking it and for a period afterwards. However, you may not be completely infertile. As Cosudex may affect your sperm, you and/or your partner must use effective contraception while taking Cosudex and for at least 130 days after stopping.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Cosudex and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Blood clot medicines: Cosudex may reduce the effectiveness of medicines used to prevent blood clots, especially warfarin, which may lead to bleeding and require more monitoring.
- cisapride
- antihistamines (terfenadine and astemizole)
- medicines used to prevent blood clots, especially warfarin
- midazolam
- ciclosporin
- medicines used to treat high cholesterol
- calcium channel blockers
- carbamazepine
- quinidine
- antiviral medicines for HIV infection
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful when driving or operating machinery until you know how Cosudex affects you, as some patients may feel dizzy or weak.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings were mentioned in the source material.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Cosudex affects you. Some patients may feel dizzy or weak.
Storage
Keep your Cosudex tablets in the blister foil until it is time to take them. If you take Cosudex out of the blister foil, it will not keep well. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Cosudex, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), 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 source material does not specify how long Cosudex takes to work. Your doctor will monitor your progress through regular appointments to check how well the treatment is working for you.
Yes, it doesn’t matter if you take Cosudex before, with, or after food. Take it at about the same time each day with a full glass of water.
If you miss your dose, take it as soon as you remember, as long as it is 12 hours before the next dose is due. If it’s less than 12 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose.
No, do not stop taking Cosudex or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor first. Continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you, even if you feel better.
Cosudex may affect your sperm while you’re taking it and for some time after you stop. As a precaution, you and/or your partner must use effective contraception while taking Cosudex and for at least 130 days after stopping.
For common side effects like hot flushes, breast tenderness, or stomach pain, speak to your doctor if they worry you. For serious side effects like chest pain, yellowing of skin or eyes, severe breathing problems, or swelling, call your doctor immediately or go to the emergency department.
No, never give Cosudex to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you. Each person’s treatment is specifically prescribed for their individual situation.
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.