Bicalutamide is a hormone-therapy tablet for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer cells are fuelled by testosterone; bicalutamide sits on the cells' androgen receptor and blocks the hormone from switching it on. It is most often taken at 50 mg a day together with an LHRH agonist injection (such as goserelin or leuprorelin) — the injection stops the testicles making testosterone and bicalutamide blocks whatever remains. It is also given for the first few weeks after an LHRH injection to prevent the temporary testosterone surge ('flare') the injection causes.
At a higher 150 mg dose it is used on its own in some countries for locally advanced disease, which keeps testosterone levels normal and so causes fewer hot flushes but more breast tenderness.
Bicalutamide is one of the older, well-established anti-androgens and is inexpensive. It is taken once a day with or without food. It is a prescription-only medicine; a valid prescription must be provided at checkout.