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Emcyt Coupon - Emcyt 140mg capsule

Emcyt

estramustine
Used for Prostate Cancer
Used for Prostate Cancer

Emcyt (estramustine) is an oral medication used to improve the quality of life (palliative care) for people with metastatic prostate cancer, meaning cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It works to treat prostate cancer in 2 different ways, by damaging cancer cells directly and by lowering testosterone levels so cancer cells can’t grow and spread. But it’s not commonly used because there are other medications that work better to treat prostate cancer.

Last reviewed on April 27, 2022
basics-icon

What is Emcyt (estramustine)?

What is Emcyt (estramustine) used for?

  • Metastatic prostate cancer

How Emcyt (estramustine) works

Most prostate cancer cells need testosterone, a male sex hormone, to grow and spread. When you have higher levels of estradiol, a female sex hormone, your body makes less testosterone.

Emcyt (estramustine) is an estradiol linked to a nitrogen mustard (another anticancer medication).

  • Estradiol works by blocking your body from making testosterone, so that prostate cancer cells either die or grow more slowly.

  • Nitrogen mustard damages the cancer cells’ genetic material, which leads to cell death.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsEmcyt
Drug ClassAntineoplastic agent
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$634.99(save 20.20%)
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$506.69
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What are the side effects of Emcyt (estramustine)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Breast enlargement (75%)
  • Breast tenderness (71%)
  • Higher liver enzymes (up to 34%)
  • Swelling or fluid buildup (20%)
  • Nausea (16%)
  • Diarrhea (13%)
  • Stomach upset (12%)
  • Difficulty breathing (12%)
  • Leg cramps (9%)

Other Side Effects

  • Loss of appetite
  • Passing gas
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness
  • Mood changes
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Headache
  • Anxiety
  • Throat irritation or hoarseness
  • Rash
  • Itching
  • Dry skin
  • Bruising
  • Thinning hair

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Heart attack: chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, abnormal heartbeat, dizziness, weakness
  • Blood clot in the brain (stroke): sudden confusion, numbness or weakness in one side of the body, difficulty walking, slurred speech, vision problems, severe headache
  • Blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism): shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, racing heart, sweating, coughing or coughing up blood
  • Blood clot in the veins (deep vein thrombosis): swelling in the affected limb (usually in the legs or arms), pain in the affected limb, red or discolored skin, feeling of warmth in the affected limb

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Black, tarry stools

blood in urine or stools

cough or hoarseness

fever or chills

headaches (severe or sudden)

loss of coordination (sudden)

lower back or side pain

painful or difficult urination

pains in chest, groin, or leg (especially calf of leg)

pinpoint red spots on skin

shortness of breath (sudden, for no apparent reason)

slurred speech (sudden)

unusual bleeding or bruising

vision changes (sudden)

weakness or numbness in arm or leg

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Swelling of feet or lower legs

Rare

Skin rash or fever

unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Breast tenderness or enlargement

decreased interest in sex

diarrhea

nausea

Less common

Trouble in sleeping

vomiting

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Emcyt (estramustine)

thumbs-up

Pros

Oral pill

Treats prostate cancer in 2 different ways: 1) by damaging cancer cells directly and 2) by lowering testosterone levels so cancer cells can’t grow and spread

thumbs-down

Cons

Typically not a recommended option for metastatic prostate cancer because it doesn't help much with improving survival or quality-of-life

Can cause undesired side effects in men, including breast enlargement and tenderness

Needs to be taken 3 to 4 times per day

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Emcyt (estramustine)

pharmacist
  • Take Emcyt (estramustine) at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Swallow capsules whole with water. Don’t take Emcyt (estramustine) at the same time as milk or milk products, and calcium-rich foods or drugs (such as antacids like Tums).

    • Emcyt (estramustine) can cause breasts to become larger or more tender. It can also make it more difficult for you to have an erection. These side effects are linked to the higher levels of estrogen in your body because of the hormone estradiol found in this medication. Talk to your provider if these side effects become bothersome for you.

      • Ask your provider how often you need to have your electrolyte levels checked while you're taking Emcyt (estramustine). This medication can affect electrolyte levels. In particular, it can lower the amount of calcium in your body.

        • If your partner is able to become pregnant, make sure to use appropriate birth control measures, such as condoms, while taking Emcyt (estramustine) due to the risk of birth defects.

          • Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the best way to handle and dispose of this anticancer medication. These medications can be hazardous to people who handle or come into contact with them, so you need to get rid of them safely.

            faqs

            Frequently asked questions about Emcyt (estramustine)

            Is Emcyt (estramustine) a recommended option for metastatic prostate cancer?
            Emcyt (estramustine) isn’t a first-choice option for metastatic prostate cancer because research shows that this medication didn’t help much with improving quality of life and it can raise the risk for serious side effects, such as blood clots and heart failure. Current recommended treatments for late stage prostate cancer can include options such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other kinds of hormone therapy. Talk with your provider if you have any questions about the benefits and risks for any of the treatment options.
            How long do I need to take Emcyt (estramustine) for?
            You might need to take Emcyt (estramustine) for at least 1 to 3 months before your provider can figure out if it’s working for you. Then, your provider will decide how long to continue the medication, depending on how well your body responds to it.
            How should I store Emcyt (estramustine)?
            Store Emcyt (estramustine) in the refrigerator at 36° to 46°F (2° to 8°C). Don't freeze it. If you're planning to travel, make sure to store your medication in a cooler bag with ice, so that it's at the right temperature. Talk with your provider or pharmacist if you have questions about storage or traveling with Emcyt (estramustine).
            Is Emcyt (estramustine) safe if I have liver or kidney problems?
            If you have liver problems, your body might have a difficult time breaking down Emcyt (estramustine). If you have kidney problems, you might experience more kidney-related side effects from Emcyt (estramustine), such as fluid build up and electrolyte levels being out of balance. Let your provider know if you have problems with your liver or kidney because you might be monitored more closely for liver or kidney health and side effects.
            What is palliative care?
            Generally, palliative care is treatment that tries to improve the quality-of-life of someone who has a serious medical condition, in addition to treating their condition. If you receive palliative care, your care team will focus on providing you physical comfort and easing side effects, as well as giving you emotional, social, and spiritual support. Palliative treatments can be curative (treating to cure), but not always.
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            What are the risks and warnings for Emcyt (estramustine)?

            Emcyt (estramustine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

            risk-warning

            Higher risk for blood clots

            • Risk factors: Hormonal (estrogen) treatment | Blood flow problems

              Estrogen treatment for prostate cancer, like Emcyt (estramustine), can raise your risk for developing blood clots. In rare cases, the clots can cause heart attacks, which can be deadly. Let your provider know if you have a history of blood clots, especially if they developed while you were on any previous estrogen therapy. Also, tell your provider if you have a history of stroke (or other blood clots in your brain) or problems with the blood vessels in your heart (coronary artery disease), as these can raise your risk of serious blood clots. Get medical help right away if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, heartbeats that aren’t regular, dizziness, weakness, sudden confusion, difficulty walking, slurred speech, vision problems, or severe headache.

              risk-warning

              High blood sugar

              • Risk factors: High blood sugar

                Emcyt (estramustine) can make it more difficult for your body to control your blood sugar, which can result in high blood sugar. If you have diabetes, you and your provider should monitor your blood sugars more closely. Let your provider know if you become more thirsty or hungry, urinating more, or have headaches and blurry vision.

                risk-warning

                High blood pressure

                Emcyt (estramustine) can raise your blood pressure. Your provider may have you monitor your blood pressure more regularly. Let your provider know if you experience irregular heartbeat, severe headaches, fatigue, or dizziness.

                risk-warning

                Fluid buildup in arms or legs (peripheral edema) or heart

                • Risk factors: Edema | Heart failure

                  Emcyt (estramustine) can cause new or worsening swelling or fluid buildup in the arms of legs or heart failure. Some symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath during rest or exercise, weight gain, swelling of the legs or ankles, fatigue, and poor appetite.
                  Let your doctor know if you have other conditions, including seizures, migraines, or kidney problems, that can be made worse by the extra fluid in your body so they can help you monitor for symptoms.

                  dosage

                  Emcyt (estramustine) dosage forms

                  The average cost for 30 capsules of 140mg of Emcyt (estramustine) is $506.69 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 20.2% off the average retail price of $634.99.
                  capsule
                  Capsule
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  140mg30 capsules$506.69$16.89

                  Typical dosing for Emcyt (estramustine)

                  Your provider will calculate your dose based on your weight.

                  In general, the typical dose of Emcyt (estramustine) is 14 mg/kg taken by mouth daily, split into 3 or 4 smaller doses and taken throughout the day.

                  interactions

                  Interactions between Emcyt (estramustine) and other drugs

                  Emcyt (estramustine) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Emcyt (estramustine). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                  How much does Emcyt (estramustine) cost?

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                  contraindications-icon

                  Emcyt (estramustine) contraindications

                  Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Emcyt (estramustine) will not be safe for you to take.
                  • Allergy to estradiol or nitrogen mustard

                  • Blood clot problems

                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Emcyt (estramustine)?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Emcyt (estramustine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                  Emcyt (estramustine)
                  Used for:
                  • Metastatic prostate cancer

                  $506.69 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Used for:
                  • Advanced or metastatic prostate cancer

                  Used for:
                  • Cancer that needs testosterone to grow (Zytiga only)

                  • Cancer that can still grow when there’s not much testosterone (Yonsa and Zytiga)

                  $90.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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                  Emcyt (estramustine) images

                  White Pharmcia & Upjohn Emcyt 140Mg - Emcyt 140mg Capsule
                  This medicine is White Capsule Imprinted With "Pharmcia & Upjohn Emcyt 140Mg".White Pharmcia & Upjohn Emcyt 140Mg - Emcyt 140mg Capsule

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