Estracyt (Estramustine Phosphate)
Estracyt 140mg Capsules Estramustine phosphate
(as Estramustine Sodium Phosphate)
1. What Estracyt is and what it is used for
Estracyt is one of a group of medicines called cytotoxics; these medicines are used in the treatment of cancer.
Estracyt is used to treat cancer of the prostate gland. It works by killing the cells of the tumour and helps to reduce its size.
You should consult your doctor if you are unsure why you have been given Estracyt.
2. Before you take Estracyt
Do not take Estracyt if you:
• Are allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the ingredients of Estracyt
• Have an ulcer in the stomach or intestines
• Have a serious heart disease
• Have a serious liver disease.
Estracyt is not suitable for use in children.
If you are unsure what this means, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Take special care with Estracyt
Tell your doctor before you start taking Estracyt if you suffer from or have suffered in the past from any of the following conditions:
• Your bone marrow is not working well, or you have been told that you have low blood cell counts.
• You have problems with blood clots or sore veins.
• You have diabetes.
• You have or have had high blood pressure.
• You are an epileptic.
• You have or have had a high level of calcium in your blood.
• You have or have had kidney disease
• You have had or are due to have any vaccination including a live or live-attenuated vaccination.
Regular Check -ups
Your doctor may need to test your blood, liver function and the level of calcium in your blood. He/she will tell you how often this should be done.
- Taking other medicines
Some medicines can affect the way Estracyt works, or Estracyt itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines if taken at the same time. These include:
• Medicines containing calcium, such as some indigestion remedies.
• Medicines known as ACE Inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure or heart disease.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
- Taking Estracyt with food and drink
Your capsules will work less well if you have calcium in your stomach. Calcium is found in milk, dairy products such as cheese and some indigestion remedies. Make sure that you check the ingredients listed on the label. (See further information in Section 3. How to take)
- Pregnancy
Avoid becoming pregnant while you or your partner is being treated with Estracyt. If you are sexually active, you are advised to use effective birth control to prevent pregnancy during treatment, whether you are male or female. Estracyt may cause birth defects, so it is important to tell your doctor if you think you are pregnant.
- Breast-feeding
You should stop breast feeding before starting treatment with Estracyt because this medicine may be harmful to infants being breast-fed.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
- Driving and using machines
Estracyt is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machines.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
3. How to take Estracyt
Always take Estracyt exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are still not sure. It is best to take Estracyt at the same time each day.
- Adults and the Elderly
Usually four to six capsules a day, taken at separate times, are used to start treatment. Depending on how your illness responds and how well you tolerate the medicine, your doctor may change the dose to anywhere between one and ten capsules a day. You may also find this information on the label.
The capsules should be taken on an empty stomach. The capsules should be taken at least one hour before a meal, or more than two hours after a meal. The capsules should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not attempt to split open the capsules.
Do not take your medicine with milk or other drinks containing milk such as tea or coffee. (See Taking Estracyt with food and drink above).
- Children
Estracyt is not suitable for use in children.
- If you take more Estracyt than you should
If you accidentally take too much Estracyt contact your doctor at once or go to the nearest hospital casualty department. Always take the labelled medicine package with you, whether there is any Estracyt left or not.
- If you forget to take Estracyt
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
- If you stop taking Estracyt
Do not stop taking Estracyt unless your doctor tells you to. Your doctor will tell you how long you should take Estracyt for. Should you need to stop taking Estracyt, your doctor will decide which is the best method for you.
If you have any further questions on how to take this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Estracyt can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Reasons for contacting your doctor immediately
Some side effects occur rarely but can potentially be very serious. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience:
• An allergic reaction such as sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching (especially affecting the whole body).
• Increasing swelling, discomfort or discolouration of one or both legs,
• Chest pain or breathlessness.
The most common side effects are:
• Discomfort and/or some swelling of the breasts.
• Decrease in sexual function.
• Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick), mostly in the first 2 weeks of treatment.
• Fluid build-up in the body, causing swollen ankles and legs.
Other side-effects that may occur are:
• Heart failure, heart attack, blood clots in your blood vessels and increased blood pressure.
• Diarrhoea.
• Reduced liver function.
• Reduction in red blood cells (anaemia) and certain white blood cells rarely occur.
• Reduction in number of platelets that help your blood to clot.
• Muscular weakness, depression, headache, confusion and tiredness rarely occur.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
5. How to store Estracyt
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Estracyt after the expiry date which is stamped on the pack. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Further Information
- What Estracyt contains
Each capsule contains 140mg of the active ingredient Estramustine phosphate (as estramustine sodium phosphate).
The other ingredients are: talc, sodium lauryl sulphate, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171), black ink containing (shellac, black iron oxide (El72), propylene glycol).
- What Estracyt looks like and contents of the pack
Estracyt are off white capsules with the product name written in black ink and are available in bottles containing 100 capsules.
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