Other side effects that have been observed in men and that are similarly related to androgen deprivation include hot flashes, sexual dysfunction (e.g., loss of libido, erectile dysfunction), depression, fatigue, weakness, and anemia. However, most men have preserved sexual function with bicalutamide monotherapy. In females, due to the minimal biological importance of androgens in this sex, the side effects of pure antiandrogens or NSAAs are few, and bicalutamide has been found to be very well tolerated. General side effects of bicalutamide that may occur in either sex include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, dry skin, itching, and rash. The drug is well-tolerated at higher dosages than 50 mg/day, with rare additional side effects.Bicalutamide has been associated with abnormal liver function tests such as elevated liver enzymes. In the Early Prostate Cancer (EPC) clinical programme of bicalutamide for early prostate cancer, the rate of abnormal liver function tests with bicalutamide monotherapy was 3.4% relative to 1.9% for placebo. Hepatic changes that have necessitated discontinuation of bicalutamide, such as marked increases in liver enzymes or hepatitis, have occurred in approximately 0.3 to 1.4% of men in clinical trials. Elevated liver enzymes with bicalutamide usually occur within the first 3 to 6 months of treatment. Monitoring of liver function during treatment is recommended, particularly in the first few months. In men of advanced age with prostate cancer, bicalutamide monotherapy has been associated with an increase in non-prostate cancer mortality, in part due to an increase in the rate of heart failure.
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External links
"Etomidate". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.