Estramustine

Estramustine is used to treat prostate cancer that has worsened or has spread to other parts of the body. Estramustine is in a class of medications called antimicrotubule agents. It works by stopping the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Estramustine comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken with water 3 to 4 times a day at least one hour before or two hours after meals. Do not take estramustine with milk, milk products, or foods that contain large amounts of calcium. Take estramustine at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take estramustine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Estramustine may control the spread of your cancer but does not cure it. It may take up to 3 months before your doctor can tell if this medication is helpful for your condition. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with estramustine. Continue to take estramustine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking estramustine without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Estramustine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

<ul>
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nausea</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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breast tenderness and enlargement</li>
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leg cramps</li>
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tiredness</li>
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difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep</li>
<li>
impotence (inability to have or maintain an erection)</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
<li>
hoarseness</li>
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difficulty swallowing or breathing</li>
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shortness of breath</li>
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chest pain</li>
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dizziness or faintness</li>
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speech problems</li>
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sudden, severe headache</li>
<li>
sudden partial or complete loss of vision</li>
<li>
weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg</li>
<li>
pain, redness or swelling of an arm or leg</li></ul>Estramustine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking estramustine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to estramustine, estradiol, nitrogen mustard, or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. if you are taking calcium supplements or antacids that contain calcium such as Alka-Mints, Tums, or Titralac, take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after estramustine. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a blood clot, diabetes, high blood pressure, a stroke, congestive heart disease, migraines, seizures, any conditions that affect the balance of calcium and phosphorous in your body such as parathyroid disorder, or liver or kidney disease.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.