Binarex (Bicalutamide 50mg)

Binarex general information

What is Binarex used for?

Binarex tablets 50mg are used to treat advanced prostate cancer, which is cancer of the prostate gland that has spread to other tissues, usually the bone and lymph nodes.  Binarex tablets 50mg are used in combination with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist, a medication that induces medical castration, which means that testosterone is no longer produced by the testes and this helps in the treatment of prostate cancer.  Alternatively, Binarex tablets 50mg are used in combination with surgical castration.  Binarex tablets 50mg may also be used to prevent disease flare associated with the use of LHRH agonist therapy, which is when large amounts of testosterone are suddenly produced in response to LHRH, before its production is switched off, and may be painful or harmful in advanced prostate cancer which has become metastatic (spread to other sites outside the prostate). 

How does Binarex work?

Binarex tablets 50mg contain bicalutamide, a non-steroidal anti-androgen, which acts as a testosterone analogue as it is similar in structure to testosterone and binds to the same receptor in prostate cells but without activating any normal testosterone actions.  Prostate cancer is a testosterone-dependent tumour, which means that it needs testosterone to grow.  Testosterone is an androgen or male hormone that is produced in the testes and is responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics, such as facial hair and increased muscle mass; it is also required for the prostate gland to function normally.  Bicalutamide in Binarex 50 binds to the androgen receptor in prostate cancer cells, which blocks the stimulation by testosterone of cancer cell growth and helps slow or prevent progression of the tumour. 

What does Binarex contain?

Binarex tablets 50mg contain the active ingredient bicalutamide a non-steroidal anti-androgen that is used to treat advanced prostate cancer.  They also contain colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, maize starch, opadry white Y-1-7000, povidone, sodium laurilsulfate.

Treating prostate cancer with Binarex

Binarex tablets 50mg contain bicalutamide, an anti-androgen used to treat advanced prostate cancer.  Prostate cancer is a testosterone-dependent tumour, which means that it needs testosterone to grow.  Testosterone is an androgen or male hormone that is produced in the testes and is responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics, such as facial hair and increased muscle mass; it is also required for the prostate gland to function normally.  Bicalutamide in Binarex 50 acts as a testosterone analogue, as it is similar in structure to testosterone, and binds to the same receptor in prostate cells but without activating any normal testosterone actions.  When bicalutamide binds to the androgen receptor in prostate cancer cells, it blocks the stimulation by testosterone of cancer cell growth and helps slow or prevent progression of the tumour.  Treatment with Binarex 50 is usually in combination with another medication, a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist that induces medical castration, which means that testosterone is no longer produced by the testes and this helps in the treatment of prostate cancer.  Alternatively, Binarex tablets 50mg are used in combination with surgical castration.  Binarex tablets 50mg are also used to prevent disease flare associated with the use of LHRH agonist therapy, which is when large amounts of testosterone are suddenly produced in response to LHRH, before its production is switched off, and may be painful or harmful in advanced prostate cancer which has become metastatic (spread to other sites outside the prostate). 

What are the side effects of Binarex?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Binarex tablets 50mg include constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence, dyspepsia, chest pain, asthenia (feeling weak), jaundice, oedema (water retention), weight increase, gynaecomastia (breast tenderness), erectile dysfunction, hot flushes, pruritus (itching), hair loss or hair dry skin regrowth/hirsutism, heart attack.

When should Binarex not be used?

You should not use Binarex tablets 50mg if you:

• are allergic to bicalutamide or any ingredients in Binarex
• are a woman (particularly if pregnant or breastfeeding), as this medication is only for use by men
• have liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Binarex including the anticoagulant warfarin, the antihistamines terfenadine and astemizole, cisapride for indigestion, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, cimetidine for reflux, the antifungal ketoconazole, antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, some medications for heart conditions like beta-blockers

What medications interact with Binarex?

Several medications interact with Binarex tablets 50mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Binarex or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Binarex: antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, some medications for heart conditions like beta-blockers
• Drugs that affect Binarex: cimetidine for reflux, the antifungal ketoconazole
• Drugs that are affected by Binarex: the anticoagulant warfarin the antihistamines terfenadine and astemizole, cisapride for indigestion, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine

How should Binarex be taken?

You should take your Binarex tablets 50mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, with or without food, once daily.  You should continue to take your Binarex tablets 50mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Binarex?

You should continue to take your Binarex tablets 50mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Binarex

If you miss a dose of Binarex tablets 50mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Binarex be stored?

You should store your Binarex tablets 50mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.