What Is Estramustine?

Estramustine is given to patients with prostate cancer. It is not able to cure the cancer, though in some cases, it can stop it from spreading. It should be taken as directed and can take a number of months to have an effect. If it continues to prove beneficial to the patient, it can be given for extended periods of time.

Patients with prostate cancer may be prescribed estramustine as a part of their cancer treatment. The medication is given to stop the cancer from spreading, either within the prostate or throughout the body. Though it does not kill existing cancer cells and is not a cure, in some cases, it can effectively stop the cancer from spreading.

It takes some time before a doctor is able to determine whether the estramustine is effective against a patient’s prostate cancer. In most cases, the patient will take the medication as a tablet, three or four times a day for a few months as a trial run. After the drug has had time to work, doctors can determine whether the treatment is effective and should be continued. This medication does not treat existing cancer, so if it is effective, it needs to be taken for as long as the patient is still fighting the disease. Once the patient stops taking estramustine, the beneficial effects disappear.

In order to be effectively absorbed by a patient, estramustine needs to be taken on an empty stomach. Calcium can interfere with a patient's ability to absorb the drug and should be taken a couple of hours before or after the estramustine. Aside from this restriction, patients can eat whatever they would normally eat over the course of treatment.

There are a number of side effects that can be caused by estramustine. Some of the most common are gastrointestinal discomfort as well as fatigue and insomnia. Soreness or cramping are also experienced by some patients who take the drug. This medication may also harm an unborn child, even though it is only taken by men. If there is a chance that the patient’s partner could become pregnant, an effective birth control method should be used while estramustine is in a man’s system.