Emcyt (Estramustine) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 9, 2012

Emcyt

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What is the prostate gland?

The prostate gland is an organ that is located at the base or outlet (neck) of the urinary bladder. (See the diagram that follows.) The gland surrounds the first part of the urethra. The urethra is the passage through which urine drains from the bladder to exit from the penis. One function of the prostate gland is to help control urination by pressing directly against the part of the urethra that it surrounds. The main function of the prostate gland is to produce some of the substances that are found in normal semen, such as minerals and sugar. Semen is the fluid that transports the sperm to assist with reproduction. A man can manage quite well, however, without his prostate gland. (See the section on surgical treatment for prostate cancer.)

In a young man, the normal prostate gland is the size of a walnut (<30g). During normal aging, however, the gland usually grows larger. This hormone-related enlargement with aging is called b...

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Emcyt®
(estramustine phosphate sodium) Capsules

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Estramustine phosphate sodium, an antineoplastic agent, is an off-white powder readily soluble in water. EMCYT Capsules are white and opaque, each containing estramustine phosphate sodium as the disodium salt monohydrate equivalent to 140 mg estramustine phosphate, for oral administration. Each capsule also contains magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, and talc. Gelatin capsule shells contain the following pigment: titanium dioxide.

Chemically, estramustine phosphate sodium is estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17-diol(17β)-,3 [bis(2-chloroethyl)carbamate] 17-(dihydrogen phosphate), disodium salt, monohydrate. It is also referred to as estradiol 3-[bis(2-chloroethyl)carbamate] 17-(dihydrogen phosphate), disodium salt, monohydrate.

Estramustine phosphate sodium has an empiric formula of C₂₃H₃₀Cl₂NNa₂O₆P•H₂O, a calculated molecular weight of 582.4, and the following structural formula:

Emcyt® (estramustine phosphate sodium) Structural Formula Illustration

What are the possible side effects of estramustine (Emcyt)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using estramustine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

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What are the precautions when taking estramustine (Emcyt)?

Before taking estramustine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to estradiol or other estrogens; or to nitrogen mustard (e.g., mechlorethamine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: history of stroke or other blood clots (e.g., in the legs, eyes, lungs), bone disease (e.g., bone metastases, high calcium levels), high cholesterol or triglyceride (blood fat) levels, depression, diabetes, severe headaches (e.g., migraine), heart disease (e.g., angina, heart attack, heart failure), high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 8/6/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.