Foods to avoid while taking bicalutamide

Antiandrogens are meds that help prevent androgens such as dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, etc. Among men, antiandrogens are used for treating prostate cancer, loss of scalp hair, enlargement of the prostate gland, frequent urges to have sexual intercourse, early onset of puberty, etc. On the other hand, these drugs are administered onto women for skin conditions like acne, excessive growth of hair, marked increase in quantum of androgen, etc. Bicalutamide is one of the commonly prescribed antiandrogens. Do you know what foods to avoid while taking bicalutamide? It helps to have more details on this front.

Androgens can enable growth of cancers, especially of the prostate gland. Of the several androgens, dihydrotestosterone (in short, DHT) as well as testosterone facilitate division of cells and aid growth of cancerous tissues. Antiandrogens are known to work in two distinctive ways viz., 1) inhibiting the production of androgens and 2) by blocking the receptors of androgen. Key ingredients help slow sown the progression of cancer in the prostate region. This action helps extend the life of men living with such cancers.

Androgen receptor antagonists were discovered during the early part of 1960s. Today, these meds are widely used along with gonadotropin releasing hormone therapy. As an extended use, antiandrogens are used for preventing longer spells of erection among men and as part of feminising hormonal therapies for women as well as transgender-girls.

In this milieu, what is bicalutamide?

This med is chiefly used for the treatment of prostate cancers in men. Besides this, bicalutamide is used as puberty blocking agent and to treat loss of hair (scalp) in women. Bicalutamide is a non-steroidal form of antiandrogen. Its key chemicals block receptors of androgen. Its half life hovers in the range of 6 – 7 days’ time i.e., from the time of your last dose. This antiandrogen received its patent in the early 1980s, and launched for use in mid 1990s.

A good thing about this med is, you can get it as a generic drug. It is also featured in the list of the World Health Organization’s list of most essential drugs. Today, it is available in more than 75 countries all over the globe. Its use in more pronounced in developed nations. As the formulation has come off-patent, you can procure its generic counterpart at much lesser cost.

Foods to avoid while taking bicalutamide

There are a few foods that do not go well with bicalutamide. These include foods rich in calcium, dairy-based food products, processed or red-meat, fat-rich diets, etc. It is a safe thing to avoid spicy food items, caffeine-rich drinks such as coffee, alcoholic beverages, etc. It is a good practice to avoid chocolate, carbonated drinks like sodas, etc.

Intake of alcohol along with bicalutamide can make you drowsy or dizzy. It is unsafe to perform activities such as driving, sporting actions or working with machinery. If you witness adverse effects like panting for breath, numbness, inflammation of limbs or mood shifts, tell your doctor without delay.

Safety pointers you must stay aware of while taking bicalutamide

The drug is well tolerated by adults. In a few stray cases, active chemicals of bicalutamide may trigger adverse effects like itchiness, formation of rashes on skin, inflammation of oral organs like throat or tongue, respiratory conditions like gasping or wheezing. Upon sensing any of these adverse effects, seek clinical support from a healthcare setting with topmost priority.

Users of bicalutamide – who are living in US – are advised to reach out to the helplines of the food and drug administration (FDA). The FDA has its own helplines to address adverse effects the drugs it approves cause. As an alternative, US-based users can dial 911 on an emergency basis. In order to have a detailed account of what foods to avoid while taking bicalutamide, talk to your caregiver.

Disclaimer

Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug