estramustine

Generic Name: estramustine
Other 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.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
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 of estramustine?

Contact your doctor if you miss a dose of estramustine.

Where can I get more information about estramustine?
Your pharmacist has information about estramustine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of estramustine?

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;

  • severe headache, confusion, or weakness;

  • shortness of breath;

  • redness, pain, warmth, or numbness in an arm or leg;

  • swelling of feet or lower legs; or

  • yellowing of the eyes and skin.

Other less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Talk to your doctor if you experience

  • tiredness;

  • loss of appetite, nausea or diarrhea;

  • rash or itching;

  • tenderness or enlargement of breasts in men; or

  • impotence.

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 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 avoid while taking estramustine?

Do not take milk, milk products, or calcium-rick foods or drugs (such as calcium-containing antacids) simultaneously with estramustine.

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.

What happens if I have an overdose of estramustine?

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.

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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.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008