Casodex (bicalutamide) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat advanced prostate cancer. The drug comes as an oral tablet. It’s usually taken once per day.
Casodex is used in adults to treat advanced prostate cancer that is metastatic (has spread to other parts of the body). For this use, Casodex is prescribed with another type of medication called a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist. Examples of LHRH agonists are leuprolide (Lupron Depot, Eligard) and goserelin (Zoladex).
The active ingredient in Casodex is bicalutamide. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Casodex belongs to a group of drugs called anti-androgens, which are a type of hormone therapy.
This article describes the dosage of Casodex, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about Casodex, see this in-depth article.
This section describes the usual dosages of Casodex. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Casodex’s form?
Casodex is available as an oral tablet.
What strength does Casodex come in?
Casodex comes in one strength of 50 milligrams (mg).
What are the usual dosages of Casodex?
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for prostate cancer
The typical Casodex dosage for adults with metastatic prostate cancer is 50 mg taken once daily.
Casodex is prescribed with another type of drug called a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist. Examples of LHRH agonists are leuprolide (Lupron Depot, Eligard) or goserelin (Zoladex). You’ll likely start Casodex when (or just before) you start treatment with the LHRH agonist.
Is Casodex used long term?
Yes, Casodex may be prescribed as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you may take Casodex long term.
If you have questions about using Casodex long term, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Casodex is available as an oral tablet. If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.
Casodex should be taken at the same time each day in the morning or evening. You may take this medication with or without food.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Casodex, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
Let your pharmacist know if you have difficulty opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help or be able to supply Casodex in an easy-open container.
If you miss a dose of Casodex, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its usual time. You should not take extra medication to “make up” for a missed dose. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about a missed Casodex dose.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Casodex on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Do not take more Casodex than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than prescribed can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you take too much Casodex
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Casodex. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Casodex’s dosage.
What is the recommended maximum dose of Casodex?
The recommended maximum dose of Casodex is 50 mg once per day.
In the past, a higher dosage of Casodex (150 mg per day) was
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your dosage of Casodex.
How long does it take for Casodex to start working?
Casodex is used along with another type of medication called an LHRH agonist, such as leuprolide (Lupron Depot, Eligard) or goserelin (Zoladex). Casodex blocks the effects of the hormone testosterone, while the LHRH agonist lowers the amount of testosterone made in your body.
These drugs start to work in your body after your first dose. These treatments may make your tumors smaller or slow the growth of your cancer. But the time it takes for that to happen can vary. And because of the way the drugs work, you likely won’t feel them working in your body.
Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check how it is working for you. To do this, they may use various blood tests and scans, in addition to monitoring your symptoms.
If you have other questions about what to expect from your Casodex treatment, talk with your doctor.
The sections above describe the usual dosage provided by Casodex’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Casodex without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Casodex exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Can I switch from taking Casodex in the morning to the evening (or vice versa)?
- Will my Casodex dosage be affected if I have liver or kidney disease?
- If my dosage of Casodex stops working, what other treatment options are available?
To learn more about Casodex, see this article: Casodex (bicalutamide).
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.