estramustine (Rx)

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ESTRAMUSTINE PHOSPHATE - ORAL

(ess-TRAM-you-steen FOSS fate)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Emcyt

USES: This medication is used to treat some types of prostate cancer. In the body, estramustine breaks down into estrogens (estrone, estradiol) and a type of cancer drug (estromustine). This medication is thought to work by increasing estrogens, which interfere with prostate cancer, and by slowing/stopping the growth of cancer cells.

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal, usually 3-4 times a day or as directed by your doctor.Take this medication with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs you otherwise.Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to take it at the same times each day as directed. The dosage is based on your medical condition, weight, and response to therapy.Take this medication 3 hours before or after taking any products containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium. Some examples include quinapril, didanosine, vitamins/minerals, and antacids. Dairy products (e.g., milk, yogurt), calcium-enriched juice, sucralfate, bismuth subsalicylate, iron, and zinc are also included. These products bind with estramustine, preventing its full absorption.Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased.Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication or breathe the dust from the capsules.

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, flushing, dry skin, headache, leg cramps, decreased sexual interest/ability, and male breast tenderness/enlargement may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptlyRemember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: mental/mood changes (e.g., depression), swelling of hands/feet, worsening of seizures, signs of worsening diabetes control (e.g., increased thirst and urination).This medication may rarely cause serious problems such as heart attacks, stroke, and blood clots. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms: chest/jaw/left arm pain, sudden severe headache, weakness on one side of the body, confusion, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes (e.g., double vision, loss of vision), pain/redness/swelling of legs, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, sudden dizziness/fainting.Tell your doctor right away if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bruising/bleeding, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin.This medication can lower the body's ability to fight an infection. Notify your doctor promptly if you develop any signs of an infection such as fever, chills, or persistent sore throat.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking estramustine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to estradiol or other estrogens; or to nitrogen mustard (e.g., mechlorethamine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: history of stroke or other blood clots (e.g., in the legs, eyes, lungs), bone disease (e.g., bone metastases, high calcium levels), high cholesterol or triglyceride (blood fat) levels, depression, diabetes, severe headaches (e.g., migraine), heart disease (e.g., angina, heart attack, heart failure), high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, seizure, long periods of sitting or lying down (for example, due to being bedridden), stroke, thyroid problems.Do not smoke cigarettes or use tobacco. Estrogens combined with smoking further increase your risk for stroke, blood clots, high blood pressure, and heart attacks.If you will be having surgery or will be confined to a chair or bed for a long time (such as on a long plane flight), notify your doctor beforehand. Special precautions may need to be taken in these circumstances while you are taking this drug because of the increased risk for blood clots.If you have diabetes, estramustine may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor.If you are nearsighted or wear contact lenses, you may develop vision problems or trouble wearing your contact lenses. Contact your eye doctor if these problems occur.This medication may cause blotchy, dark areas on your face and skin (melasma). Sunlight may worsen this effect. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.This medication may affect the production of sperm. Use a reliable form of birth control while on this medication. Consult your doctor.This medication is not usually used in women. It is unlikely to be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Consult your doctor if you have any questions about this medication.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: aromatase inhibitors (e.g., anastrozole, exemestane), troleandomycin, tranexamic acid.If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: corticosteroids (e.g., prednisolone), ospemifene, tamoxifen, medication for low thyroid (hypothyroidism).Certain drugs can affect the estrogen levels in your system. Drugs that may cause this effect include: azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), many antibiotics (e.g., cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, macrolides, penicillins, tetracyclines, sulfas), aprepitant, bexarotene, bosentan, dapsone, griseofulvin, certain HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir), modafinil, nevirapine, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), many seizure medications (e.g., barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, primidone, topiramate), St John's wort.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory tests (e.g., blood pressure, liver function tests, calcium levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store the U.S. product in the refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.Store the Canadian product between 36-77 degrees F (2-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom.Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised August 2021. Copyright(c) 2021 First Databank, Inc.

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

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