Prostate Cancer Home > Casodex Side Effects
Hot flashes, pain, and constipation are some of the common side effects of Casodex. However, most people are able to take this cancer medication without any problems; if adverse reactions do occur, they are generally easy to treat. If you develop any potentially serious problems, such as shortness of breath, mood changes, or inability to urinate, contact your healthcare provider right away.
Just like any medicine, Casodex® (bicalutamide) can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the medication will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in many cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are treated easily by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Casodex. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
Common Side Effects of Casodex
Casodex has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, one group of people received Casodex, while another group was given a different prostate cancer medication. As a result, it was possible to see what side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the other medication.In these studies, the most common Casodex side effects included:
- Hot flashes -- in up to 53 percent of people
- General pain or pain in the back, pelvis, or stomach -- up to 35 percent
- Weakness or loss of energy -- up to 22 percent
- Constipation -- up to 22 percent
- Infection -- up to 18 percent
- Nausea -- up to 15 percent
- Fluid retention (edema) in the legs, ankles, or feet -- up to 13 percent
- Shortness of breath -- up to 13 percent
- Needing to get up in the middle of the night to urinate (nocturia) -- up to 12 percent
- Blood in the urine -- up to 12 percent
- Diarrhea -- up to 12 percent.
Other common reactions (occurring in 4 to 11 percent of people) included:
- Decrease in red blood cells (anemia)
- Dizziness
- Rash
- Bone pain
- Breast enlargement or pain
- Numbness, tingling, or pricking sensations of the skin
- Chest pain (angina)
- Increased blood pressure (hypertension)
- Headache
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Flu-like symptoms
- Impotence (erectile dysfunction, or ED)
- Upper respiratory tract symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, or stuffy nose
- Sweating
- Frequent urination or loss of bladder control
- Insomnia
- Mood problems, such as anxiety and depression
- Joint pain
- Gassiness
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Vomiting.