Medicine guide

Bicalutamide

50 mg · Tablet

Prescription only
Androgen Receptor Inhibitor

Active substance: Bicalutamide
Used in: Urinary and reproductive system, hormones
Made by: Accord Healthcare Inc.
Source: Official label

Quoted from the official source. Not yet reviewed by Mediclarum — the leaflet in your pack is authoritative.

At a glance

Quoted from the official label · 2024-01-16

What it is

Androgen Receptor Inhibitor

Used for

The label’s usual adult dose

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dose for bicalutamide therapy in combination with an LHRH analog is one 50 mg tablet once daily (morning or evening).

Full directions ↓

Do not take it if

CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity ( 4 ) Women ( 4 ) Pregnancy ( 4, and 8.1 ) Bicalutamide is contraindicated in:

All warnings ↓

Good to know

Prescription only
FDA enforcement reports list no ongoing recall, and none from the last two years, for this product code · checked 2026-10-02

9other products contain Bicalutamide — compare makers, forms and strengths

Every line above is selected, not written, from the official label. Nothing is reworded. DailyMed

What it is for

1.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Bicalutamide tablets 50 mg daily is indicated for use in combination therapy with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analog for the treatment of Stage D 2 metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.
Bicalutamide tablets 150 mg daily is not approved for use alone or with other treatments [see Clinical Studies (14.2) ].
Bicalutamide tablets 50 mg is an androgen receptor inhibitor indicated for use in combination therapy with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analog for the treatment of Stage D 2 metastatic carcinoma of the prostate.
( 1 ) Bicalutamide tablets 150 mg daily is not approved for use alone or with other treatments.
( 1 )

From the official label · 2024-01-16 · DailyMed

How it works

From this product’s own US prescribing label.

Bicalutamide is a non-steroidal androgen receptor inhibitor.
It competitively inhibits the action of androgens by binding to cytosol androgen receptors in the target tissue.

How the body breaks it down

The S (inactive) isomer is metabolized primarily by glucuronidation.

How it leaves the body

Both the parent and metabolite glucuronides are eliminated in the urine and feces.

With food

Co-administration of bicalutamide with food has no clinically significant effect on rate or extent of absorption.

Quoted from the prescribing label, sections “Mechanism of Action” and “Pharmacokinetics”. DailyMed · 2024-01-16

Do not take it if

4.
CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity ( 4 ) Women ( 4 ) Pregnancy ( 4, and 8.1 ) Bicalutamide is contraindicated in:
Hypersensitivity Bicalutamide is contraindicated in any patient who has shown a hypersensitivity reaction to the drug or any of the tablet’s components.
Hypersensitivity reactions including angioneurotic edema and urticaria have been reported.
Women Bicalutamide has no indication for women, and should not be used in this population.
Pregnancy Bicalutamide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ].

Quoted from the official label, section “Contraindications”.

How to take it

These directions are for this exact strength and form. Another one is different.

2.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dose for bicalutamide therapy in combination with an LHRH analog is one 50 mg tablet once daily (morning or evening).
( 2 ) 2.1.
Recommended Dose and Schedule The recommended dose for bicalutamide tablets therapy in combination with an LHRH analog is one 50 mg tablet once daily (morning or evening), with or without food.
It is recommended that bicalutamide tablets be taken at the same time each day.
Treatment with bicalutamide tablets should be started at the same time as treatment with an LHRH analog.
If a dose of bicalutamide is missed, take the next dose at the scheduled time.
Do not take the missed dose and do not double the next dose. 2.2.
Dosage Adjustment in Renal Impairment No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with renal impairment [see Use in Specific Populations (8.7) ] . 2.3.
Dosage Adjustment in Hepatic Impairment No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment.
In patients with severe liver impairment (n=4), although there was a 76% increase in the half-life (5.9 and 10.4 days for normal and impaired patients, respectively) of the active enantiomer of bicalutamide, no dosage adjustment is necessary [see Use in Specific Populations (8.6) ] .

Quoted from the official label, section “Dosage & Administration”.

Other warnings

5.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Severe hepatic injury and fatal hepatic failure have been observed.
Monitor serum transaminase levels prior to starting treatment with bicalutamide, at regular intervals for the first four months of treatment and periodically thereafter, and for symptoms or signs suggestive of hepatic dysfunction.
Use bicalutamide with caution in patients with hepatic impairment.
( 5.1 ) Hemorrhage with Concomitant Use of Coumarin Anticoagulant.
Closely monitor the Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR), and adjust the anticoagulant dose as needed.
( 5.2 ) Gynecomastia and breast pain have been reported during treatment with bicalutamide 150 mg when used as a single agent.
( 5.3 ) Bicalutamide is used in combination with an LHRH agonist.
LHRH agonists have been shown to cause a reduction in glucose tolerance in males.
Consideration should be given to monitoring blood glucose in patients receiving bicalutamide in combination with LHRH agonists.
( 5.4 ) Monitoring Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is recommended.
Evaluate for clinical progression if PSA increases.
( 5.5 ) 5.1.
Hepatitis Cases of death or hospitalization due to severe liver injury (hepatic failure) have been reported postmarketing in association with the use of bicalutamide.
Hepatotoxicity in these reports generally occurred within the first three to four months of treatment.
Hepatitis or marked increases in liver enzymes leading to drug discontinuation occurred in approximately 1% of bicalutamide patients in controlled clinical trials.
Serum transaminase levels should be measured prior to starting treatment with bicalutamide, at regular intervals for the first four months of treatment, and periodically thereafter.
If clinical symptoms or signs suggestive of liver dysfunction occur (e.g., nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, “flu-like” symptoms, dark urine, jaundice, or right upper quadrant tenderness), the serum transaminases, in particular the serum ALT, should be measured immediately.
If at any time a patient has jaundice, or their ALT rises above two times the upper limit of normal, bicalutamide should be immediately discontinued with close follow-up of liver function. 5.2.
Hemorrhage with Concomitant Use of Coumarin Anticoagulant In the postmarketing setting, there have been reports of excessive prolongation of the prothrombin time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) days to weeks after the introduction of bicalutamide in patients who were previously stable on coumarin anticoagulants.
Some patients had serious bleeding including intracranial, retroperitoneal, and gastrointestinal requiring blood transfusion and/or administration of vitamin K.
Closely monitor the PT/INR, and adjust the anticoagulant dose as needed [see Drug Interactions (7) and Adverse Reactions (6.2) ]. 5.3.
Gynecomastia and Breast Pain In clinical trials with bicalutamide 150 mg as a single agent for prostate cancer, gynecomastia and breast pain have been reported in up to 38% and 39% of patients, respectively. 5.4.
Glucose Tolerance A reduction in glucose tolerance has been observed in males receiving LHRH agonists.
This may manifest as diabetes or loss of glycemic control in those with pre-existing diabetes.
Consideration should therefore be given to monitoring blood glucose in patients receiving bicalutamide in combination with LHRH agonists. 5.5.
Laboratory Tests Regular assessments of serum Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) may be helpful in monitoring the patient’s response.
If PSA levels rise during bicalutamide therapy, the patient should be evaluated for clinical progression.
For patients who have objective progression of disease together with an elevated PSA, a treatment-free period of antiandrogen, while continuing the LHRH analog, may be considered.

Quoted from the official label, section “Warnings”.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

8.1.
Pregnancy Risk Summary Bicalutamide is contraindicated for use in pregnant women because it can cause fetal harm.
Bicalutamide is not indicated for use in females.
There are no human data on the use of bicalutamide in pregnant women.
In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of bicalutamide to pregnant rats during organogenesis caused abnormal development of reproductive organs in male fetuses at exposures approximately 0.7 to 2 times the human exposure at the recommended dose (see Data) .
Data Animal Data In an embryo-fetal development study in pregnant rats dosed during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 6 to15, male fetuses had reduced anogenital distance at doses of 10 mg/kg/day and above (approximately 0.7 to 2 times the human exposure at the recommended dose).
In a pre- and post-natal development study, female rats were dosed from gestation day 7 to 16 and allowed to litter and rear their offspring to weaning.
Male offspring of rats receiving doses of 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.7 times the human exposure at the recommended dose) and above, were observed to have reduced anogenital distance.
In a peri- and post-natal development study, female rats were dosed from gestation day 16 to lactation day 22 and allowed to litter and rear their offspring to weaning.
Survival and weights of offspring during lactation were reduced for litters from maternal rats receiving doses of 250 mg/kg/day (approximately 2 times the human exposure at the recommended dose).
Male offspring of rats receiving doses of 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.7 times the human exposure at the recommended dose) and above, were observed to have reduced anogenital distance, smaller secondary sex organs, cryptorchidism and hypospadias resulting in an inability to mate and impregnate their female partners.
Female offspring of rats receiving doses of 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.7 times the human exposure at the recommended dose) and above had reduced pregnancy rates.
8.2.
Lactation Risk Summary Bicalutamide is not indicated for use in pregnant women.
There is no information available on the presence of bicalutamide in human milk, or on the effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production.
Bicalutamide has been detected in rat milk.
8.3.
Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Contraception Males Antiandrogen therapy may cause morphological changes in spermatozoa [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ].
Based on findings in animal reproduction studies and its mechanism of action, advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 130 days after the final dose of bicalutamide [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ].
Infertility Males Based on animal studies, bicalutamide can lead to inhibition of spermatogenesis and may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential.
The long-term effects of bicalutamide tablets on male fertility have not been studied. [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] .
8.
USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Females and Males of reproductive Potential:
Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception.
( 8.3 ) Pediatric patients:
Efficacy has not been demonstrated for the treatment of familial male-limited precocious puberty (testotoxicosis).
( 8.4 ) 8.1.
Pregnancy Risk Summary Bicalutamide is contraindicated for use in pregnant women because it can cause fetal harm.
Bicalutamide is not indicated for use in females.
There are no human data on the use of bicalutamide in pregnant women.
In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of bicalutamide to pregnant rats during organogenesis caused abnormal development of reproductive organs in male fetuses at exposures approximately 0.7 to 2 times the human exposure at the recommended dose (see Data) .
Data Animal Data In an embryo-fetal development study in pregnant rats dosed during the period of organogenesis from gestation days 6 to15, male fetuses had reduced anogenital distance at doses of 10 mg/kg/day and above (approximately 0.7 to 2 times the human exposure at the recommended dose).
In a pre- and post-natal development study, female rats were dosed from gestation day 7 to 16 and allowed to litter and rear their offspring to weaning.
Male offspring of rats receiving doses of 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.7 times the human exposure at the recommended dose) and above, were observed to have reduced anogenital distance.
In a peri- and post-natal development study, female rats were dosed from gestation day 16 to lactation day 22 and allowed to litter and rear their offspring to weaning.
Survival and weights of offspring during lactation were reduced for litters from maternal rats receiving doses of 250 mg/kg/day (approximately 2 times the human exposure at the recommended dose).
Male offspring of rats receiving doses of 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.7 times the human exposure at the recommended dose) and above, were observed to have reduced anogenital distance, smaller secondary sex organs, cryptorchidism and hypospadias resulting in an inability to mate and impregnate their female partners.
Female offspring of rats receiving doses of 10 mg/kg/day (approximately 0.7 times the human exposure at the recommended dose) and above had reduced pregnancy rates. 8.2.
Lactation Risk Summary Bicalutamide is not indicated for use in pregnant women.
There is no information available on the presence of bicalutamide in human milk, or on the effects on the breastfed infant or on milk production.
Bicalutamide has been detected in rat milk. 8.3.
Females and Males of Reproductive Potential Contraception Males Antiandrogen therapy may cause morphological changes in spermatozoa [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ].
Based on findings in animal reproduction studies and its mechanism of action, advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 130 days after the final dose of bicalutamide [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.1) ].
Infertility Males Based on animal studies, bicalutamide can lead to inhibition of spermatogenesis and may impair fertility in males of reproductive potential.
The long-term effects of bicalutamide tablets on male fertility have not been studied. [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.1) ] . 8.4.
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of bicalutamide in pediatric patients have not been established.
Bicalutamide orodispersible tablet was studied in combination with anastrozole orodispersible tablet in an open-label, non-comparative, multi-center study that assessed the efficacy and safety of this combination regimen over 12 months in the treatment of gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty in boys with familial male-limited precocious puberty, also known as testotoxicosis.
Patients were enrolled in the study if they had a baseline age ≥ 2 years and a diagnosis of testotoxicosis based on clinical features of progressive precocious puberty, symmetrical testicular enlargement, advanced bone age, pubertal levels of serum testosterone, prepubertal pattern of gonadotropin secretion following a GnRH stimulation test, and absence of other clinical and biochemical causes of testosterone excess.
Thirteen out of the 14 patients enrolled completed 12 months of combination treatment (one patient was lost to follow-up).
If central precocious puberty (CPP) developed, an LHRH analog was to be added.
Four patients were diagnosed with CPP during the 12-month study and received LHRH analog treatment and 2 additional patients were diagnosed at the end of the 12 months and received treatment subsequently.
Mean ± SD characteristics at baseline were as follows:
chronological age:
3.9±1.9 years; bone age 8.8±2.5; bone age/chronological age ratio:
2.06 ± 0.51; growth rate (cm/yr):
10.81 ± 4.22; growth rate standard deviation score (SDS):
0.41 ± 1.36.
The starting bicalutamide dose was 12.5 mg.
Bicalutamide was titrated in each patient until steady-state R-bicalutamide (the active isomer of bicalutamide) trough plasma concentration reached 5 to 15 mcg/mL, which is the range of therapeutic concentrations achieved in
adults with prostate cancer following the administration of the currently approved bicalutamide dose of 50 mg.
The starting daily dose of anastrozole was 0.5 mg.
Anastrozole was independently titrated in each patient until it reached at steady-state a serum estradiol concentration of <10 pmol/L (2.7 pg/mL).
The following ascending doses were used for bicalutamide:
12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg.
For anastrozole there were two ascending doses: 0.5 mg and 1 mg.
At the end of the titration phase, 1 patient was on 12.5 mg bicalutamide, 8 patients were on 50 mg bicalutamide, and 4 patients were on 100 mg bicalutamide; 10 patients were on 0.5 mg anastrozole and 3 patients were on 1 mg anastrozole.
In the majority of patients, steady-state trough concentrations of R-bicalutamide appeared to be attained by Day 21 with once daily dosing.
Steady-state trough plasma anastrozole concentrations appeared to be attained by Day 8.
The primary efficacy analysis of the study was to assess the change in growth rate after 12 months of treatment, relative to the growth rate during the ≥6 months prior to entering the study.
Pre-study growth rates were obtained retrospectively.
There was no statistical evidence that the growth rate was reduced during treatment.
During bicalutamide /anastrozole treatment the mean growth rate (cm/yr) decreased by 1.6 cm/year, 95% CI (-4.7 to 1.5) p=0.28; the mean growth rate SDS decreased by
0.1 SD, 95% CI (–1.2 to 1.0) p=0.88.
Table 2 shows descriptive data for growth rates for the overall population and for subgroups defined by history of previous treatment for testotoxicosis with ketoconazole, spironolactone, anastrozole or other aromatase inhibitors.
Table 2.
Growth Rates Endpoint Analysis population Pre-study Mean Change from pre-study to 12 months % patients with growth reduction Change compared to pre-study growth rate.
Mean Median (Min, Max) Growth rate (cm/yr) All treated (n=13) 10.8 -1.6 -2.8 (-7.4, 8.4) 9/13 (69%) PT PT = Previous treatment for testotoxicosis with ketoconazole, spironolactone, anastrozole or other aromatase inhibitors.
(n=6) 10.3 -0.2 -2.6 Median calculated as midpoint of 3rd and 4th ranked observations.
(-7.2, 8.4) 4/6 (67%) NPT NPT = no previous treatment for testotoxicosis with ketoconazole, spironolactone, anastrozole, or other aromatase inhibitors.
(n=7) 11.2 -2.8 -2.8 (-7.4, 1.1) 5/7 (71%) Growth rate (SD units) All treated (n=13) 0.4 -0.1 -0.4 (-2.7, 3.5) 9/13 (69%) PT (n=6) -0.1 +0.7 -0.2 (-1.6, 3.5) 4/6 (67%) NPT (n=7) 0.8 -0.7 -0.4 (-2.7, 0.5) 5/7 (71%) Total testosterone concentrations increased by a mean of 5 mmol/L over the 12 months of treatment from a baseline mean of 10 mmol/L.
Estradiol concentrations were at or below the level of quantification (9.81 pmol/L) for 11 of 12 patients after 12 months of treatment.
Six of the 12 patients started treatment at an estradiol concentration below the level of quantification.
There were no deaths, serious adverse events, or discontinuations due to adverse events during the study.
Of the 14 patients exposed to study treatment, 13 (92.9%) experienced at least one adverse event.
The most frequently reported (>3 patients) adverse events were gynecomastia (7/14, 50%), central precocious puberty (6/14, 43%), vomiting (5/14, 36%), headache (3/14, 21%), pyrexia (3/14, 21%), and upper respiratory tract infection (3/14, 21%).
Adverse reactions considered possibly related to bicalutamide by investigators included gynecomastia (6/14, 43%), central precocious puberty (2/14, 14%), breast tenderness (2/14, 14%), breast pain (1/14, 7%), asthenia (1/14, 7%), increased alanine aminotransferase [ALT] (1/14, 7%), increased aspartate aminotransferase [AST] (1/14, 7%), and musculoskeletal chest pain (1/14, 7%).
Headache was the only adverse reaction considered possibly related to anastrozole by investigators.
For the patient who developed elevated ALT and AST, the elevation was <3X ULN, and returned to normal without stopping treatment; there was no concomitant elevation in total bilirubin. 8.5.
Geriatric Use In two studies in patients given 50 or 150 mg daily, no significant relationship between age and steady-state levels of total bicalutamide or the active R-enantiomer has been shown. 8.6.
Hepatic Impairment Bicalutamide should be used with caution in patients with moderate-to-severe hepatic impairment.
Bicalutamide is extensively metabolized by the liver.
Limited data in subjects with severe hepatic impairment suggest that excretion of bicalutamide may be delayed and could lead to further accumulation.
Periodic liver function tests should be considered for hepatic-impaired patients on long-term therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
No clinically significant difference in the pharmacokinetics of either enantiomer of bicalutamide was noted in patients with mild-to-moderate hepatic disease as compared to healthy controls.
However, the half-life of the R-enantiomer was increased approximately 76% (5.9 and 10.4 days for normal and impaired patients, respectively) in patients with severe liver disease (n=4). 8.7.
Renal Impairment Renal impairment (as measured by creatinine clearance) had no significant effect on the elimination of total bicalutamide or the active R-enantiomer.
8.6.
Hepatic Impairment Bicalutamide should be used with caution in patients with moderate-to-severe hepatic impairment.
Bicalutamide is extensively metabolized by the liver.
Limited data in subjects with severe hepatic impairment suggest that excretion of bicalutamide may be delayed and could lead to further accumulation.
Periodic liver function tests should be considered for hepatic-impaired patients on long-term therapy [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ].
No clinically significant difference in the pharmacokinetics of either enantiomer of bicalutamide was noted in patients with mild-to-moderate hepatic disease as compared to healthy controls.
However, the half-life of the R-enantiomer was increased approximately 76% (5.9 and 10.4 days for normal and impaired patients, respectively) in patients with severe liver disease (n=4).
8.7. Renal Impairment Renal impairment (as measured by creatinine clearance) had no significant effect on the elimination of total bicalutamide or the active R-enantiomer.

Quoted from the official label, section “OTC — Pregnancy or Breast Feeding”.

Other medicines

7.
DRUG INTERACTIONS Clinical studies have not shown any drug interactions between bicalutamide and LHRH analogs (goserelin or leuprolide).
There is no evidence that bicalutamide induces hepatic enzymes.
In vitro studies have shown that R-bicalutamide is an inhibitor of CYP 3A4 with lesser inhibitory effects on CYP 2C9, 2C19 and 2D6 activity.
Clinical studies have shown that with co-administration of bicalutamide, mean midazolam (a CYP 3A4 substrate) levels may be increased 1.5-fold (for C max ) and 1.9-fold (for AUC).
Hence, caution should be exercised when bicalutamide is co-administered with CYP 3A4 substrates.
In vitro protein-binding studies have shown that bicalutamide can displace coumarin anticoagulants from binding sites.
PT/INR should be closely monitored in patients concomitantly receiving coumarin anticoagulants and bicalutamide.
Adjustment of the anticoagulant dose may be necessary. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Adverse reaction (6.2) ] R-bicalutamide is an inhibitor of CYP 3A4; therefore, caution should be used when bicalutamide is co-administered with CYP 3A4 substrates.
( 7 ) PT/INR should be closely monitored in patients already receiving coumarin anticoagulants who are started on bicalutamide.
( 7 )

Quoted from the official label, section “Drug Interactions”.

If you take too much

In an emergency, call your local emergency number or a poison control centre.

10.
OVERDOSAGE Long-term clinical trials have been conducted with dosages up to 200 mg of bicalutamide daily and these dosages have been well tolerated.
A single dose of bicalutamide that results in symptoms of an overdose considered to be life threatening has not been established.
There is no specific antidote; treatment of an overdose should be symptomatic.
In the management of an overdose with bicalutamide, vomiting may be induced if the patient is alert.
It should be remembered that, in this patient population, multiple drugs may have been taken.
Dialysis is not likely to be helpful since bicalutamide is highly protein bound and is extensively metabolized.
General supportive care, including frequent monitoring of vital signs and close observation of the patient, is indicated.

Quoted from the official label, section “Overdosage”.

Use in children

8.4.
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of bicalutamide in pediatric patients have not been established.
Bicalutamide orodispersible tablet was studied in combination with anastrozole orodispersible tablet in an open-label, non-comparative, multi-center study that assessed the efficacy and safety of this combination regimen over 12 months in the treatment of gonadotropin-independent precocious puberty in boys with familial male-limited precocious puberty, also known as testotoxicosis.
Patients were enrolled in the study if they had a baseline age ≥ 2 years and a diagnosis of testotoxicosis based on clinical features of progressive precocious puberty, symmetrical testicular enlargement, advanced bone age, pubertal levels of serum testosterone, prepubertal pattern of gonadotropin secretion following a GnRH stimulation test, and absence of other clinical and biochemical causes of testosterone excess.
Thirteen out of the 14 patients enrolled completed 12 months of combination treatment (one patient was lost to follow-up).
If central precocious puberty (CPP) developed, an LHRH analog was to be added.
Four patients were diagnosed with CPP during the 12-month study and received LHRH analog treatment and 2 additional patients were diagnosed at the end of the 12 months and received treatment subsequently.
Mean ± SD characteristics at baseline were as follows:
chronological age:
3.9±1.9 years; bone age 8.8±2.5; bone age/chronological age ratio:
2.06 ± 0.51; growth rate (cm/yr):
10.81 ± 4.22; growth rate standard deviation score (SDS):
0.41 ± 1.36.
The starting bicalutamide dose was 12.5 mg.
Bicalutamide was titrated in each patient until steady-state R-bicalutamide (the active isomer of bicalutamide) trough plasma concentration reached 5 to 15 mcg/mL, which is the range of therapeutic concentrations achieved in
adults with prostate cancer following the administration of the currently approved bicalutamide dose of 50 mg.
The starting daily dose of anastrozole was 0.5 mg.
Anastrozole was independently titrated in each patient until it reached at steady-state a serum estradiol concentration of <10 pmol/L (2.7 pg/mL).
The following ascending doses were used for bicalutamide:
12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg.
For anastrozole there were two ascending doses: 0.5 mg and 1 mg.
At the end of the titration phase, 1 patient was on 12.5 mg bicalutamide, 8 patients were on 50 mg bicalutamide, and 4 patients were on 100 mg bicalutamide; 10 patients were on 0.5 mg anastrozole and 3 patients were on 1 mg anastrozole.
In the majority of patients, steady-state trough concentrations of R-bicalutamide appeared to be attained by Day 21 with once daily dosing.
Steady-state trough plasma anastrozole concentrations appeared to be attained by Day 8.
The primary efficacy analysis of the study was to assess the change in growth rate after 12 months of treatment, relative to the growth rate during the ≥6 months prior to entering the study.
Pre-study growth rates were obtained retrospectively.
There was no statistical evidence that the growth rate was reduced during treatment.
During bicalutamide /anastrozole treatment the mean growth rate (cm/yr) decreased by 1.6 cm/year, 95% CI (-4.7 to 1.5) p=0.28; the mean growth rate SDS decreased by
0.1 SD, 95% CI (–1.2 to 1.0) p=0.88.
Table 2 shows descriptive data for growth rates for the overall population and for subgroups defined by history of previous treatment for testotoxicosis with ketoconazole, spironolactone, anastrozole or other aromatase inhibitors.
Table 2.
Growth Rates Endpoint Analysis population Pre-study Mean Change from pre-study to 12 months % patients with growth reduction Change compared to pre-study growth rate.
Mean Median (Min, Max) Growth rate (cm/yr) All treated (n=13) 10.8 -1.6 -2.8 (-7.4, 8.4) 9/13 (69%) PT PT = Previous treatment for testotoxicosis with ketoconazole, spironolactone, anastrozole or other aromatase inhibitors.
(n=6) 10.3 -0.2 -2.6 Median calculated as midpoint of 3rd and 4th ranked observations.
(-7.2, 8.4) 4/6 (67%) NPT NPT = no previous treatment for testotoxicosis with ketoconazole, spironolactone, anastrozole, or other aromatase inhibitors.
(n=7) 11.2 -2.8 -2.8 (-7.4, 1.1) 5/7 (71%) Growth rate (SD units) All treated (n=13) 0.4 -0.1 -0.4 (-2.7, 3.5) 9/13 (69%) PT (n=6) -0.1 +0.7 -0.2 (-1.6, 3.5) 4/6 (67%) NPT (n=7) 0.8 -0.7 -0.4 (-2.7, 0.5) 5/7 (71%) Total testosterone concentrations increased by a mean of 5 mmol/L over the 12 months of treatment from a baseline mean of 10 mmol/L.
Estradiol concentrations were at or below the level of quantification (9.81 pmol/L) for 11 of 12 patients after 12 months of treatment.
Six of the 12 patients started treatment at an estradiol concentration below the level of quantification.
There were no deaths, serious adverse events, or discontinuations due to adverse events during the study.
Of the 14 patients exposed to study treatment, 13 (92.9%) experienced at least one adverse event.
The most frequently reported (>3 patients) adverse events were gynecomastia (7/14, 50%), central precocious puberty (6/14, 43%), vomiting (5/14, 36%), headache (3/14, 21%), pyrexia (3/14, 21%), and upper respiratory tract infection (3/14, 21%).
Adverse reactions considered possibly related to bicalutamide by investigators included gynecomastia (6/14, 43%), central precocious puberty (2/14, 14%), breast tenderness (2/14, 14%), breast pain (1/14, 7%), asthenia (1/14, 7%), increased alanine aminotransferase [ALT] (1/14, 7%), increased aspartate aminotransferase [AST] (1/14, 7%), and musculoskeletal chest pain (1/14, 7%).
Headache was the only adverse reaction considered possibly related to anastrozole by investigators.
For the patient who developed elevated ALT and AST, the elevation was <3X ULN, and returned to normal without stopping treatment; there was no concomitant elevation in total bilirubin.

Quoted from the official label, section “Pediatric Use”.

Use in older people

8.5. Geriatric Use In two studies in patients given 50 or 150 mg daily, no significant relationship between age and steady-state levels of total bicalutamide or the active R-enantiomer has been shown.

Quoted from the official label, section “Geriatric Use”.

Side effects

6.
ADVERSE REACTIONS Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
Adverse reactions that occurred in more than 10% of patients receiving bicalutamide plus an LHRH-A were:
hot flashes, pain (including general, back, pelvic and abdominal), asthenia, constipation, infection, nausea, peripheral edema, dyspnea, diarrhea, hematuria, nocturia and anemia.
( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Accord Healthcare Inc. at 1-866-941-7875 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1.
Clinical Trials Experience In patients with advanced prostate cancer treated with bicalutamide in combination with an LHRH analog, the most frequent adverse reaction was hot flashes (53%).
In the multi-center, double-blind, controlled clinical trial comparing bicalutamide 50 mg once daily with flutamide 250 mg three times a day, each in combination with an LHRH analog, the following adverse reactions with an incidence of 5% or greater, regardless of causality, have been reported.
Table 1.
Incidence of Adverse Reactions (≥ 5% in Either Treatment Group) Regardless of Causality Body System Adverse Reaction Treatment Group Number of Patients (%) Bicalutamide Plus LHRH Analog (n=401) Flutamide Plus LHRH Analog (n=407) Body as a Whole Pain (General) 142 (35) 127 (31) Back Pain 102 (25) 105 (26) Asthenia 89 (22) 87 (21) Pelvic Pain 85 (21) 70 (17) Infection 71(18) 57 (14) Abdominal Pain 46 (11) 46 (11) Chest Pain 34 (8) 34 (8) Headache 29 (7) 27 (7) Flu Syndrome 28 (7) 30 (7) Cardiovascular Hot Flashes 211 (53) 217 (53) Hypertension 34 (8) 29 (7) Digestive Constipation 87 (22) 69 (17) Nausea 62 (15) 58 (14) Diarrhea 49 (12) 107 (26) Increased Liver Enzyme Test 30 (7) 46 (11) Dyspepsia 30 (7) 23 (6) Flatulence 26 (6) 22 (5) Anorexia 25 (6) 29 (7) Vomiting 24 (6) 32 (8) Hemic and Lymphatic Anemia 45 (11) 53 (13) Metabolic and Nutritional Peripheral Edema 53 (13) 42 (10) Weight Loss 30 (7) 39 (10) Hyperglycemia 26 (6) 27 (7) Alkaline Phosphatase Increased 22 (5) 24 (6) Weight Gain 22 (5) 18 (4) Musculoskeletal Bone Pain 37 (9) 43 (11) Myasthenia 27 (7) 19 (5) Arthritis 21 (5) 29 (7) Pathological Fracture 17 (4) 32 (8) Nervous System Dizziness 41 (10) 35 (9) Paresthesia 31 (8) 40 (10) Insomnia 27 (7) 39 (10) Anxiety 20 (5) 9 (2) Depression 16 (4) 33 (8) Respiratory System Dyspnea 51 (13) 32 (8) Cough Increased 33 (8) 24 (6) Pharyngitis 32 (8) 23 (6) Bronchitis 24 (6) 22 (3) Pneumonia 18 (4) 19 (5) Rhinitis 15 (4) 22 (5) Skin and Appendages Rash 35 (9) 30 (7) Sweating 25 (6) 20 (5) Urogenital Nocturia 49 (12) 55 (14) Hematuria 48 (12) 26 (6) Urinary Tract Infection 35 (9) 36 (9) Gynecomastia 36 (9) 30 (7) Impotence 27 (7) 35 (9) Breast Pain 23 (6) 15 (4) Urinary Frequency 23 (6) 29 (7) Urinary Retention 20 (5) 14 (3) Urinary Impaired 19 (5) 15 (4) Urinary Incontinence 15 (4) 32 (8) Other adverse reactions (greater than or equal to 2%, but less than 5%) reported in the bicalutamide-LHRH analog treatment group are listed below by body system and are in order of decreasing frequency within each body system regardless of causality.
Body as a Whole: Neoplasm;
Neck Pain;
Fever;
Chills;
Sepsis;
Hernia;
Cyst Cardiovascular: Angina Pectoris;
Congestive Heart Failure;
Myocardial Infarct;
Heart Arrest;
Coronary Artery Disorder;
Syncope Digestive: Melena;
Rectal Hemorrhage;
Dry Mouth;
Dysphagia;
Gastrointestinal Disorder;
Periodontal Abscess;
Gastrointestinal Carcinoma Metabolic and Nutritional: Edema;
BUN Increased;
Creatinine Increased;
Dehydration;
Gout;
Hypercholesteremia Musculoskeletal: Myalgia;
Leg Cramps Nervous: Hypertonia;
Confusion;
Somnolence;
Libido Decreased;
Neuropathy;
Nervousness Respiratory: Lung Disorder;
Asthma;
Epistaxis;
Sinusitis Skin and Appendages: Dry Skin;
Alopecia;
Pruritus;
Herpes Zoster;
Skin Carcinoma;
Skin Disorder Special Senses: Cataract Specified Urogenital: Dysuria;
Urinary Urgency;
Hydronephrosis;
Urinary Tract Disorder Abnormal Laboratory Test Values:
Laboratory abnormalities including:
elevated AST, ALT, bilirubin, BUN, and creatinine; and decreased hemoglobin and white cell count, have been reported in both bicalutamide-LHRH analog treated and flutamide-LHRH analog treated patients. 6.2.
Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of bicalutamide.
Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Respiratory disorders:
Interstitial lung disease (some fatal) including interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis, most often at doses greater than 50 mg.
Hemorrhage:
Increased PT/INR due to interaction between coumarin anticoagulants and bicalutamide.
Serious bleeding reported. [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:
Photosensitivity

Quoted from the official label, section “Adverse Reactions”.

What to discuss with your doctor

17.
PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).
Dose and Schedule:
Inform patients that therapy with bicalutamide and the LHRH analog should be started at the same time and that they should not interrupt or stop taking these medications without consulting their healthcare provider [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)] .
Hepatitis:
Inform patients that bicalutamide can cause hepatitis, which may result in hepatic failure and death.
Advise patients that liver function tests should be monitored regularly during treatment and to report signs and symptoms of hepatitis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] .
Hemorrhage with Concomitant Use of Coumarin Anticoagulant:
Inform patients that serious bleeding has occurred with reported increased anticoagulant effects while taking bicalutamide.
Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider of any bleeding or spontaneous bruising while on bicalutamide and taking anticoagulants [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Adverse reaction (6.2) ] .
Glucose Tolerance:
Inform patients that diabetes or loss of glycemic control in patients with pre-existing diabetes has been reported during treatment with LHRH agonists.
Consideration should therefore be given to monitoring blood glucose in patients receiving bicalutamide in combination with LHRH agonists [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] .
Somnolence: During treatment with bicalutamide, somnolence has been reported.
Advise patients who experience this symptom to observe caution when driving or operating machines [see Adverse Reactions (6.1)] .
Photosensitivity:
Inform patients that cases of photosensitivity have been reported during treatment with bicalutamide and that they should
avoid direct exposure to excessive sunlight or UV-light exposure.
Consideration should be given to the use of sunscreen [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)] .
Contraception and fertility:
Advise male patients with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for 130 days after the last dose of bicalutamide therapy.
Advise male patients that bicalutamide may impair fertility [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)] .
Manufactured For:
Accord Healthcare, Inc., 8041 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27617, USA.
Manufactured By:
Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited, Plot No. :
457, 458, Village - Matoda, Bavla Road, Ta.:Sanand, Dist.:
Ahmedabad :
382 210.
India. 10 0857 4 6025824 Issued October 2023

Quoted from the official label, section “Patient Counseling Information”.

Strengths and forms

3. DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Bicalutamide tablets, USP 50 mg for oral administration are white to off-white, round, biconvex, film coated tablets, debossed ‘B 50’ on one side and plain on other side. 50 mg tablets ( 3 )

Quoted from the official label, section “Dosage Forms & Strengths”.

What it looks like and how it is packed

16.
HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING Bicalutamide tablets, USP 50 mg are white to off-white, round, biconvex, film-coated tablets debossed "B 50" on one side and plain on other side and supplied in bottles of 30 tablets with a child-resistant closure (NDC 16729-023-10) and bottles of 100 tablets with a child-resistant closure (NDC 16729-023-01). 16.1.
Storage and Handling “Store at 20° to 25°C (68 to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]”

Quoted from the official label, section “How Supplied”.

How to store it

16.1. Storage and Handling “Store at 20° to 25°C (68 to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]”

Quoted from the official label, section “Storage and Handling”.

What is in it

11.
DESCRIPTION Bicalutamide tablets, USP contain 50 mg of bicalutamide, a non-steroidal androgen receptor inhibitor with no other known endocrine activity.
The chemical name is propanamide, N [4 cyano-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-[(4-fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-,(+-).
The structural and empirical formulas are: Bicalutamide has a molecular weight of 430.37.
The pKa is approximately 12.
Bicalutamide is a fine white to off-white powder which is practically insoluble in water at 37°C (5 mg per 1000 mL), slightly soluble in chloroform and absolute ethanol, sparingly soluble in methanol, and soluble in acetone and tetrahydrofuran.
Bicalutamide is a racemate with its antiandrogenic activity being almost exclusively exhibited by the R-enantiomer of bicalutamide; the S-enantiomer is essentially inactive.
The inactive ingredients of bicalutamide tablets, USP are lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, hypromellose E5, polyethylene glycol 400, povidone K 30, sodium starch glycolate, and titanium dioxide.
Bicalutamide tablets, USP 50 mg meets USP Dissolution Test 2. chem

Quoted from the official label, section “Description”.

Ingredients people check for

Lactose, gluten, dyes, sugars and other ingredients that matter with an allergy, intolerance or diet — as this product’s FDA label lists them.

LactoseUSP are lactose monohydrateMilk sugar: matters with lactose intolerance or a milk allergy.
Titanium dioxidetitanium dioxideA whitening agent no longer allowed in food in the EU (E171).

Quoted from the FDA label. A label that does not name an ingredient is not a guarantee that the product is free of it, and formulations change. With an allergy, check the pack and ask a pharmacist.

Every version of this medicine (10)

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Same active substance, strength and form in other countries

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France8 matching products

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Details

Made by	Accord Healthcare Inc.
Active substance	Bicalutamide
Used in	Urinary and reproductive system, hormones
Strength	50 mg
Form	Tablet
Route	Oral
Packs	100 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE · 30 TABLET in 1 BOTTLE
NDC	16729-023

Source: NDC Directory · 2026-09-13 · not reviewed by a clinician

Source: US Food and Drug Administration, NDC Directory. Reuse terms: US government work (FDA).

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Other strengths and forms

9 products are sold under this name. Grouped by form; a number on a strength means several companies make it.

Tablet7 products
- 50 mg7
  50 mg · 7 companies
  - Accord Healthcare Inc. · this page
  - ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  - Bryant Ranch Prepack
  - Golden State Medical Supply, Inc.
  - PINNACLE LIFE SCIENCE PRIVATE LIMITED
  - Proficient Rx LP
  - Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Tablet, Film Coated2 products
- 50 mg2
  50 mg · 2 companies
  - Proficient Rx LP
  - Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.

Same active substance

These contain the same substance. That does not mean one can replace another — ask a pharmacist.

Bicalutamide50 mgPrescription onlyTablet, Film Coated Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. · Bicalutamide Bicalutamide50 mgPrescription onlyTablet Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. · Bicalutamide Bicalutamide50 mgPrescription onlyTablet ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · Bicalutamide Bicalutamide50 mgPrescription onlyTablet Bryant Ranch Prepack · Bicalutamide Bicalutamide50 mgPrescription onlyTablet Proficient Rx LP · Bicalutamide Bicalutamide50 mgPrescription onlyTablet Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc. · Bicalutamide

See every product with Bicalutamide