Estramustine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug Estramustine?

What is Estramustine used for?

Estramustine is a drug to treat several types of prostate cancer. In the body, estramustine breaks down into estrogen (estrone, estradiol) and a type of cancer drug (estromustine). This drug is thought to work by increasing estrogen, which interferes with prostate cancer, and by slowing / stopping the growth of cancer cells.

How do you use the drug Estramustine?

Take this medication on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating, usually 3-4 times daily or as directed by your doctor.

Take this medication with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) unless your doctor directs otherwise.

Take this medicine regularly for its best benefit. Remember to take this medication at the same time each day as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition, body weight, and response to therapy.

Take this medication 3 hours before or after taking products that contain magnesium, aluminum, or calcium, examples of which include quinapril didanosine, vitamins / minerals, and antacids. Dairy products (eg, milk, yogurt), juices rich in calcium, sucralfate, bismuth, subsalicylate, iron and zinc. The product binds to estramustine thereby preventing full absorption.

Do not increase your dose or take this drug more often than prescribed. This method will not improve your condition faster and will actually increase the risk of serious side effects.

Because this drug can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant should not take this medicine or inhale the dust from the capsules of this medicine.

How to store Estramustine?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Estramustine dosage

What should be considered before using the drug Estramustine?

Before deciding to take Estramustine:

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to Estramustine, estradiol, nitrogen mustard or other types of drugs
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist what medications (prescription or non-prescription), vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are currently using or will be using.
• If you are taking supplements that contain calcium or antacids that contain calcium, such as Alka-Mints, Tums, or Titralac, then take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after Estramustine.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had blood clots, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, congestive heart disease, migraines, seizures, other conditions that affect the balance of calcium and phosphorus in your body, such as parathyroid disorders, or liver disease. or kidneys.
• You should know that Estramustine is only used for men. Estramustine may cause adverse effects on the fetus. You should use effective birth control when there is a possibility that your partner will become pregnant while you are taking Estramustine. Women who are or may become pregnant should not take Estramustine. If you become pregnant while taking Estramustine, contact your doctor immediately.

Is Estramustine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

This drug can affect sperm production. Because of the possible mutagenic effect, it is recommended that patients taking Estramustine use birth control while being treated with this medicine. Consult your doctor.

This medicine is not usually used in women. Therefore, it is not possible to use it during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you have any questions about this drug.

There are no data on the excretion of estramustine into human milk. This drug is only used in male patients.

Estramustine side effects

What are the possible side effects of Estramustine?

Common side effects of Estramustine include nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, stomach pain, feeling weak or tired, breast swelling or tenderness, or impotence.

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Estramustine and contact your doctor if you experience serious side effects such as the following:

• Chest pain or feeling heavy, pain that spreads to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, body aches
• Sudden feeling of numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden headaches, confusion, vision problems, difficulty speaking or balance problems
• Chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat
• Pain or swelling in one or both legs
• Breath feels short even accompanied by light extertion
• Swelling, rapid weight gain or
• Bruising easily

Less serious side effects may include:

• Nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, stomach ulcers
• The body feels weak and tired
• Swollen or painful breasts or
• Impotent

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Estramustine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Estramustine?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. When you are taking this medicine, it is very important that your healthcare professional knows if you are currently taking any of the medicines that are listed below. The following interactions are selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all inclusive.

Using this medication with the following drugs is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to give you treatment with this drug or change some of the other drugs you are taking.

• Rotavirus vaccine, live

Using this medication with any of the following medicines is not usually recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Acrivastine
• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 4, Live
• Adenovirus Vaccine Type 7, Live
• Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin Vaccine, Live
• Bupropion
• Influenza Virus Vaccine, Live
• Measles Virus Vaccine, Live
• Mumps Virus Vaccine, Live
• Rubella Virus Vaccine, Live
• Vaccine Smallpox
• Typhoid Vaccine
• Varicella Virus Vaccine
• Yellow Fever Vaccine

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the work of the drug Estramustine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions are selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all inclusive.

Using this medication with any of the following products may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but they may not be avoided in some cases. When used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use these drugs, or give specific instructions about use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Dairy foods

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Estramustine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Asthma
• Epilepsy
• Mental depression or a history of experiencing mental depression, or
• Migraine, or
• Kidney disease - fluid retention sometimes caused by Estramustine can make this condition worse
• Blood clots or riwaat have experienced blood clots, or
• Stroke or a history of having had a stroke, or
• Recently had a heart attack or stroke - May have gotten worse due to vascular problems caused by Estramustine
• Smallpox (including those that have recently occurred) or
• Shingles (shingles) - Risk of severe disease affecting other parts of the body
• Diabetes Mellitus - Estramustine can change the amount of antidiabetic medicine needed
• Gallbladder disease - The condition may get worse due to Estramustine
• Heart or blood vessel disease - Estramustine can cause circulation problems
• Jaundice or hepatitis (or a history of having these diseases) or other liver disease - The effects, including problems with the liver, may increase.
• Stomach ulcers - May get worse with Estramustine

Estramustine Drug Interactions

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of the drug Estramustine for adults?

Usual adult dose for prostate cancer

Starting dose: 14 mg per kg daily, given in 3 or 4 doses.

Patients must be treated for 30-90 days before the doctor determines the possible benefits of further therapy. Therapy should be continued as long as the response is favorable. Some patients have been given therapy for more than three years at doses of 10 to 16 mg per kg of body weight per day.

Patients should be instructed to take Estramustine capsules at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Estramustine capsules must be swallowed with water. Milk, dairy products, and foods rich in calcium or medicines (such as antacids that contain calcium) should not be taken with Estramustine.

What is the dose of the drug Estramustine for children?

The dosage for children has not been determined. Consult your doctor for more information.

In what dosages and preparations is Estramustine available?

Capsules, orally as sodium phosphate: 140 mg

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.