Adverse effects of PC-SPES treatment were similar to those of hormonal drugs. The percentages indicate the approximate low-to-high range of side effects reported in the studies. It is difficult to compile accurate numbers from all studies reporting side effects because they are not consistently reported. Some studies concatenated categories of side effects, some did not report specific numbers or percentages, and some reported a few side effects while not reporting others. The following references indicate the studies from which the percentages come:

• Gynecomastia (8%–8.7%).[1-6]
• Nipple tenderness (34.8%–100%).[1-7]
• Dyspepsia/nausea (15.7%–21.7%).[2-7]
• Fatigue (8%–17.1%).[1-5]
• Diarrhea (13%–38.6%).[1-5]
• Leg cramps/swelling (2%–68.5%).[1-5]
• Cardiovascular problems/angina (4.3%–7%).[1-5]
• Hot flashes (4.3%–34%).[1-5]
• Decreased libido (6.2%–100%).[5,7]
• Erectile dysfunction (single case report).[8]
• Thromboembolic effects (5%–6.2%).[5,6]

References

1. Oh WK, George DJ, Hackmann K, et al.: Activity of the herbal combination, PC-SPES, in the treatment of patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer. Urology 57 (1): 122-6, 2001.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
2. Oh WK, George DJ, Kantoff PW: Rapid rise of serum prostate specific antigen levels after discontinuation of the herbal therapy PC-SPES in patients with advanced prostate carcinoma: report of four cases. Cancer 94 (3): 686-9, 2002.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
3. de la Taille A, Buttyan R, Hayek O, et al.: Herbal therapy PC-SPES: in vitro effects and evaluation of its efficacy in 69 patients with prostate cancer. J Urol 164 (4): 1229-34, 2000.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
4. de la Taille A, Hayek OR, Buttyan R, et al.: Effects of a phytotherapeutic agent, PC-SPES, on prostate cancer: a preliminary investigation on human cell lines and patients. BJU Int 84 (7): 845-50, 1999.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
5. Small EJ, Frohlich MW, Bok R, et al.: Prospective trial of the herbal supplement PC-SPES in patients with progressive prostate cancer. J Clin Oncol 18 (21): 3595-603, 2000.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
6. Pfeifer BL, Pirani JF, Hamann SR, et al.: PC-SPES, a dietary supplement for the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer. BJU Int 85 (4): 481-5, 2000.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
7. DiPaola RS, Zhang H, Lambert GH, et al.: Clinical and biologic activity of an estrogenic herbal combination (PC-SPES) in prostate cancer. N Engl J Med 339 (12): 785-91, 1998.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
8. Moyad MA, Pienta KJ, Montie JE: Use of PC-SPES, a commercially available supplement for prostate cancer, in a patient with hormone-naive disease. Urology 54 (2): 319-23; discussion 323-4, 1999.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   

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