Casodex

[Cletom]

Does anyone have experience with Casodex?

I'm especially interested in potential side effects; have read much of what's online and it certainly is daunting, at the least.

[Justfor_]

I am taking a miniscule dosage of Casodex for the past 32 months now. Minimal side effects compared to Lupron and 2nd gen ARSIs. Only zero libido and danger of developing gynaecomastia if not combined with Tamoxifen from day one. On the positive side, Testosterone gets boosted up by 50% or more and gray cells get a whirl, i.e. the exact opposite of Lupron's brain fog. Dose adjustment keeps my PSA as low as I want it to be. In my case a real dynamite drug.

[Cletom in reply to Justfor_]

May I ask how you are reducing the dosage? Are you splitting the pills somehow? Also curious if you have had radical prostatectomy or have had radiation therapy and retain your prostate? So many questions; sorry

[Justfor_ in reply to Cletom]

In practice, due to the small size of the tablet, only splitting into two is feasible. So, my min quantity is 25 mg. But, due to the long half-life of Bicalutamide (~7days) lapse day administration can be implemented. My current dosage is 3 half 50mg tablets per 2 weeks. The schedule reiterates every 14 days sub-divided in 5 + 5 + 4 day installments, hence, easy to remember. It is a tad "overcritical" that is, more than the quantity needed to reach the equilibrium point (defined as the PSA stabilization dosage) thing that will probably lead me to use 25 mg every 5 days or 50 mg every 5+6=11days. The latter is probably the closest to the equilibrium needs, yet, the most cumbersome to remember and implement. For more detailed info, you can check my monthly updated thread:

healthunlocked.com/prostate...

Finally, I had RALP on May/2019 and ~2.5 years later acknowledged BCR at PSA of 0.17 and PSADT of 9.5 months.

[Tall_Allen]

Gynecomastia is pretty much guaranteed without tamoxifen.

[cesanon in reply to Tall_Allen]

(1) Are there any reasons not to take tamoxifen if you are doing androgen deprivation therapy.

(2) Are there any issues or counterindications if you use both tamoxifen and estrogen while undergoing androgen deprivation therapy.?

[Tall_Allen in reply to cesanon]

No

[NanoMRI]

I did one year only on Casodex, 150mg daily, as added insurance following my third treatment, salvage ePLND. I was 61, very fit, very active. Casodex was tough on me. Stole my energy and enthusiasm for athletic activity, my strong muscles declined, my emotions changed. An example, for reasons I cannot explain, I curtailed my mountain biking - I felt unsafe on the trails. I did experience tolerable gynecomastia (given battling this beast) despite having prophylactic RT.

[j-o-h-n]

FROM A AND i

Bicalutamide, sold under the brand name Casodex among others, is a medication primarily used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Like any medication, it can have side effects, which can vary in severity and occurrence. Here are some common side effects associated with bicalutamide (Casodex):

Hot flashes: These are sudden feelings of warmth, often in the face, neck, or chest.

Breast tenderness or enlargement: This can occur due to the anti-androgenic effects of bicalutamide.

Gastrointestinal effects: Including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain.

Fatigue: Feeling tired or weak is a common side effect.

Liver function abnormalities: Bicalutamide can sometimes affect liver function, leading to elevated liver enzymes.

Decreased libido: Some individuals may experience a decrease in sexual desire.

Dizziness: Feeling lightheaded or dizzy can occur.

Fluid retention: This may manifest as swelling in the feet or lower legs.

Anemia: A decrease in red blood cell count may occur.

Weight changes: Some people may gain or lose weight.

It's important to note that not everyone experiences these side effects, and the severity can vary from person to person. Additionally, serious but rare side effects can include allergic reactions, lung disease, and changes in blood sugar levels. If you are prescribed bicalutamide (Casodex), your healthcare provider will monitor you for these potential side effects and adjust treatment as needed. <-------- NOTE

MY EXPERIECE WITH "CASODEX" (FOR MANY YEARS):

SOME OF THE ABOVE SIDE EFFECTS.

REPLACED BY NUBEQA AS OF APRIL 2023 (SO FAR LOWERING MY PSA)

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[Cletom in reply to j-o-h-n]

Curious about your experience with Nubeqa. Side effects, efficacy?

[j-o-h-n in reply to Cletom]

Only hurts my wallet.............

Good Luck, Good Health and Good humor.

j-o-h-n

[cesanon in reply to j-o-h-n]

Thanks for the nice answer.

Any comments on change in change in side effects accompanying your move from one medication to the other?

[j-o-h-n in reply to cesanon]

None........All the same (I'm still a miserable bastard)..

Good Luck, Good Health and Good humor.

j-o-h-n

[Cletom in reply to j-o-h-n]

That's the first time I've heard that since joining. I love it!!!! Congrats.

[j-o-h-n]

to Cletom... Good Idea to update your bio.... all info voluntary but it helps you and helps us too. Thank you!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[Bruce66]

I finished a year of Lupron and PSA stayed at 0.0 for another year until it started rising again. I told my doctor I wanted to try Casodex as a mono therapy, and if it didn’t work would go back on Lupron (didn’t like the side effects). He said Lupron may not work anymore if you go this route. I hadn’t heard that anywhere and just blew him off and said let’s try anyway. 50 mg Casodex for about nine months and PSA rising again. Bumped it up to 150 mg and PSA doubled in four months. I agreed to go back on Lupron and PSA doubled again in two months and continued increasing two months after that.

The doctor was right, Lupron had stopped working so we added Xtandi. PSA is under control now, but I can’t help but think I made a mistake. Some people on this forum have had good luck with Casodex only so I thought I would give it a try, but a word of caution. Lupron may stop working if you do.

[Justfor_ in reply to Bruce66]

I read your bio. The wiser thing I found in there is that, retrospectively, you should had done more/better due diligence. To Casodex now, it makes sense to me that if you want to hang a framed picture on a wall you don't reach for your jackhammer, as after that a battery driver will not do the job. In my personal case I went a bit farther. If the picture isn't extra heavy a hand hammer and a needle nail is all that is needed. But, I am a retired Greek engineer and know that more isn't better. Ουκ εν τω πολλώ το ευ, in ancient Greek.

[Cletom in reply to Justfor_]

Thank you for the thoughts, Justfor. I appreciate your caring.

[j-o-h-n in reply to Justfor_]

Not when you're a baby and you're nursing (περισσότερο mama περισσότερο).

In fact I have to use a hammer drill to hang those black and white husband and wife oval photos/frames from the old country - Good ole Theo and Thea.

My house is a poured concrete house built in 1918 and was designated a bomb shelter during WWII.

Forest Hills Gardens - 142 acres to the Russell Sage Homes Foundation, founded by Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, a fan of Ebenezer Howard’s Garden Cities of To-Morrow (1898) who sought to create an idyllic garden suburb. Sage hired Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., of Olmsted Brothers and Grosvenor Atterbury for the general plan.

Forest Hills Stadium, which became America's first tennis stadium in 1923, was home to a number of firsts in tennis history including the birthplace of the U.S. Open. Featured in the Alfred Hitchcock movie "Strangers on a train".

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[TaylorMill]

“I'm especially interested in potential side effects; have read much of what's online and it certainly is daunting, at the least.“

I was on both bicalutamide (Casodex) and either Lupron or Eligard - whichever was in stock - for a full 4 years. I had no issues with hot flashes and other SE that some are vocal about. No breast enlargement that was observable I also was tested 3 times for bone density - some very minor effect there.

My MO stopped both drugs at 4 years and that is now 2 yrs ago

[Cletom in reply to TaylorMill]

Thank you for the response. I am happy for your good fortune.