estramustine
Generic Name: estramustine (ess tra MUSS teen)
Brand Names: Emcyt
What is estramustine?
Estramustine is a cancer (antineoplastic) medication. Estramustine interferes with the
growth of cancer cells and slows their growth and spread in the body.
Estramustine is used to treat prostrate cancer.
Estramustine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What is the most important information I should know about estramustine?
Estramustine should only be administered under the supervision of a qualified healthcare
provider experienced in the use of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.
Serious side effects have been reported with the use of estramustine including: allergic
reactions (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or
hives); blood clots (including those causing heart attacks and strokes); and others. Talk to your
doctor about the possible side effects from treatment with estramustine.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
estramustine?
Before taking estramustine, tell your doctor if you have:
-
liver disease;
-
kidney disease;
-
a metabolic bone disease;
-
diabetes;
-
heart disease, high blood pressure or a history of heart
attack;
-
a history of stroke;
-
bleeding or blood clotting problems;
-
migraine headaches;
-
epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or
-
problems with swelling.
You may not be able to take estramustine, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Estramustine may cause birth defects in an unborn baby when conception occurs
during treatment. Contraceptive measures are recommended during treatment with estramustine.
It is not known whether estramustine passes into breast milk. Do not take estramustine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
How should I take estramustine?
Take estramustine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
instructions, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to explain them to you.
Take each oral dose with a large glass of water.
Take estramustine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Do not take milk, milk products, or calcium-rick foods or drugs (such as
calcium-containing antacids) simultaneously with estramustine.
Your doctor will probably want you to have regularly scheduled blood tests and other
medical evaluations during treatment with estramustine to monitor progress and side effects.
Store estramustine tablets in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of estramustine.
What happens if I overdose?
If for any reason an overdose of estramustine is suspected, seek emergency medical
attention or contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Symptoms of an estramustine overdose tend to be similar to side effects caused by the
medication, although often more severe.
What should I avoid while taking estramustine?
Do not take milk, milk products, or calcium-rick foods or drugs (such as
calcium-containing antacids) simultaneously with estramustine.
Estramustine side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, seek emergency medical
attention or contact your doctor immediately:
-
an allergic reaction (shortness of breath; closing of your throat;
difficulty breathing; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives);
-
chest pain;
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severe headache, confusion, or weakness;
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shortness of breath;
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redness, pain, warmth, or numbness in an arm or leg;
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swelling of feet or lower legs; or
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yellowing of the eyes and skin.
Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to
your doctor if you experience
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect estramustine?
Other medications may interact with estramustine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products,
during treatment with estramustine.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about estramustine written for health
professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Estramustine is available with a prescription under the brand name Emcyt. Other brand or
generic formulations may also be available. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you
have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.03. Revision Date: 6/22/06 9:35:13 AM.
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