Calutide (Generic Casodex)

• Generic Name: Bicalutamide
• Strips of 10 x 50 mg Tablets
• Manufactured by Cipla

Calutide is a generic version of the drug Casodex. It is used to treat cancer of the prostate gland. Calutide blocks the effects of testosterone, a hormone that can aggravate prostate cancer. The way Calutide works is by binding to cancer cells on a prostate tumor that would normally bind to testosterone, which helps them grow and divide. When the cancer cells are blocked from using testosterone because they are already bound to Calutide, the cancer cells can’t divide. This means that cancer growth may slow or even stop.

Calutide may be given alone, or with other therapies for prostate cancer. If cancer has spread beyond the prostate, Calutide may be given in addition to a hormonal therapy that blocks a pituitary hormone that stimulates production of testosterone.

Side effects are usually not bad enough to cause patients to stop taking Calutide. They may include: hot flashes, decreased sex drive, impotence, headache, diarrhea, dizziness, insomnia, breast tenderness, or swelling of the hands or feet.

There are some reactions to this medication that are rare, but require immediate medical attention. They include: difficulty breathing, chest pain, stomach pain, rash, swelling of the face, severe dizziness, unusual bruises or bleeding, flu-like symptoms, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.