Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
What Is Emcyt?
Emcyt (estramustine phosphate sodium) is an antineoplastic (anti-cancer) drug used to treat prostate cancer.
What Are Side Effects of Emcyt?
Common side effects of Emcyt include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
- upset stomach
- weakness
- tiredness
- male breast swelling or tenderness
- flushing
- headache
- leg cramps
- decreased sexual interest
- impotence, and
- elevated blood pressure
Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Emcyt including chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, general ill feeling (malaise); sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body); sudden headache, confusion; problems with vision, speech, or balance; sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate; pain or swelling in one or both legs; shortness of breath, even with mild exertion; swelling, rapid weight gain; or easy bruising.
Additional Information
Our Emcyt (estramustine phosphate sodium) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
SLIDESHOW
Screening Tests Every Man Should Have See SlideshowGet emergency medical help if you have 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:
- heart problems--shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain, chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
- signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), severe headache, slurred speech, balance problems;
- signs of a blood clot in the lung--chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood; or
- signs of a blood clot deep in the body--swelling, warmth, or redness in an arm or leg.
Common side effects may include:
- breast swelling or tenderness;
- impotence;
- nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;
- swelling, trouble breathing;
- leg cramps; or
- abnormal liver function tests.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Emcyt (Estramustine)
IMAGES
See ImagesSIDE EFFECTS
In a randomized, double-blind trial comparing therapy with EMCYT Capsules in 93 patients (11.5 to 15.9 mg/kg/day) or diethylstilbestrol (DES) in 93 patients (3.0 mg/day), the following adverse effects were reported:
| EMCYT n=93 | DES n=93 | |
| CARDIOVASCULAR-RESPIRATORY | ||
| Cardiac Arrest | 0 | 2 |
| Cerebrovascular Accident | 2 | 0 |
| Myocardial Infarction | 3 | 1 |
| Thrombophlebitis | 3 | 7 |
| Pulmonary Emboli | 2 | 5 |
| Congestive Heart Failure | 3 | 2 |
| Edema | 19 | 17 |
| Dyspnea | 11 | 3 |
| Leg Cramps | 8 | 11 |
| Upper Respiratory Discharge | 1 | 1 |
| Hoarseness | 1 | 0 |
| GASTROINTESTINAL | ||
| Nausea | 15 | 8 |
| Diarrhea | 12 | 11 |
| Minor Gastrointestinal Upset | 11 | 6 |
| Anorexia | 4 | 3 |
| Flatulence | 2 | 0 |
| Vomiting | 1 | 1 |
| Gastrointestinal Bleeding | 1 | 0 |
| Burning Throat | 1 | 0 |
| Thirst | 1 | 0 |
| INTEGUMENTARY | ||
| Rash | 1 | 4 |
| Pruritus | 2 | 2 |
| Dry Skin | 2 | 0 |
| Pigment Changes | 0 | 3 |
| Easy Bruising | 3 | 0 |
| Flushing | 1 | 0 |
| Night Sweats | 0 | 1 |
| Fingertip—Peeling Skin | 1 | 0 |
| Thinning Hair | 1 | 1 |
| BREAST CHANGES | ||
| Tenderness | 66 | 64 |
| Enlargement | ||
| Mild | 60 | 54 |
| Moderate | 10 | 16 |
| Marked | 0 | 5 |
| MISCELLANEOUS | ||
| Lethargy Alone | 4 | 3 |
| Depression | 0 | 2 |
| Emotional Lability | 2 | 0 |
| Insomnia | 3 | 0 |
| Headache | 1 | 1 |
| Anxiety | 1 | 0 |
| Chest Pain | 1 | 1 |
| Hot Flashes | 0 | 1 |
| Pain in Eyes | 0 | 1 |
| Tearing of Eyes | 1 | 1 |
| Tinnitus | 0 | 1 |
| LABORATORY ABNORMALITIES | ||
| Hematologic | ||
| Leukopenia | 4 | 2 |
| Thrombopenia | 1 | 2 |
| Hepatic | ||
| Bilirubin Alone | 1 | 5 |
| Bilirubin and LDH | 0 | 1 |
| Bilirubin and SGOT | 2 | 1 |
| Bilirubin, LDH and SGOT | 2 | 0 |
| LDH and/or SGOT | 31 | 28 |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Hypercalcemia—Transient | 0 | 1 |
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Emcyt (Estramustine)
© Emcyt Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Emcyt Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.