Do not take Casodex:

• if you are a woman.
• if you are allergic to bicalutamide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
• if you are already taking a medicine called cisapride or certain anti-histamine medicines (terfenadine or astemizole).

Casodex must not be given to children.

Do not take Casodex if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Casodex.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Casodex:

• if you have problems with your liver. Your doctor may do blood tests before and during your treatment with Casodex.
• if you have any of the following: any heart or blood vessel conditions, including heart rhythm problems (arrhythmia), or are being treated with medicines for these conditions. The risk of heart rhythm problems may be increased when using Casodex.
• if you are taking Casodex, you and/or your partner should use birth control while you are taking Casodex and for 130 days after stopping Casodex. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about birth control.

If you go into hospital, tell the medical staff that you are taking Casodex.

Children and adolescents

Casodex must not be given to children or adolescents.

Tests and checks

Your doctor may do blood tests to check for any changes to your blood.

Other medicines and Casodex

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription and herbal medicines. This is because Casodex can affect the way other medicines work. Also some other medicines can affect the way Casodex works.

Do not take Casodex if you are already taking any of the following medicines:

• Cisapride (used for some types of indigestion).
• Certain anti-histamines (terfenadine or astemizole).

Casodex might interfere with some medicines used to treat heart rhythm problems (e.g. quinidine, procainamide, amiodarone and sotalol) or might increase the risk of heart rhythm problems when used with some other drugs (e.g. methadone, (used for pain relief and part of drug addiction detoxification), moxifloxacin (an antibiotic), antipsychotics used for serious mental illness).

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Medicines taken by mouth to prevent blood clots (oral anti-coagulants). Blood thinners or medicines to prevent blood clots. Your doctor may do blood tests before and during your treatment with Casodex.
• Ciclosporin (to suppress your immune system).
• Calcium channel blockers (to treat high blood pressure or some heart conditions).
• Cimetidine (for stomach problems).
• Ketoconazole (to treat infections caused by a fungus).

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

• Casodex must not be given to a woman.

Driving and using machines

Casodex is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use any tools or machines. However, some people may occasionally feel sleepy while taking Casodex. If this happens to you, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Sunlight or Ultraviolet (UV) light

Avoid direct exposure to excessive sunlight or UV light while you are taking Casodex.

Casodex contains lactose.

Lactose is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

Casodex contains sodium

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.