Flutamide Oral Capsule

Flutamide is an oral drug used to treat moderate-to-severe prostate cancer in men.

The drug is used in combination with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists to treat stage B2-C or stage D2 prostate cancer.

The recommended dose for adults is two 125-mg capsules (250 mg) taken by mouth three times per day (every 8 hours), for a total daily dose of 750 mg.

Common side effects include hot flashes, loss of sex drive (libido), erectile dysfunction, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or breast enlargement.

Flutamide can cause liver failure. You may need to be hospitalized. In rare cases, this can be fatal.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• FDA warning See Details

• Not for women See Details

• Combination therapy only See Details

What is flutamide?

Flutamide is a prescription drug. It is available as a capsule that you take by mouth.

Flutamide is only available in a generic form.

This drug is taken as part of a combination therapy. This means you need to take it with other medications. You need to take flutamide with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist.

Why it's used

Flutamide is used to treat stage B2-C or stage D2 prostate cancer in men. It is used in combination with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists.

How it works

Flutamide belongs to a class of drugs called antiandrogens. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way.

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Most Common Side Effects

The more common side effects that can occur with flutamide include:

• hot flashes

• loss of sex drive (libido)

• erectile dysfunction (impotence)

• diarrhea

• nausea

• vomiting

• breast enlargement (gynecomastia)

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious Side Effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 9-1-1 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

• Allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

• Liver failure. Symptoms can include:

  • loss of appetite
  • nausea and vomiting
  • stomach or abdominal pain (upper right side of abdomen)
  • feeling extremely tired
  • flu-like symptoms, such as muscle aches or soreness
  • brown-colored urine
  • yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes (jaundice)

• Anemia. Symptoms can include:

  • pale grey- or blue-colored skin
  • headache
  • dark or chocolate-colored blood
  • weakness
  • confusion
  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath
  • fast heart rate
  • tiredness
  • dark-colored urine
  • pain in the upper stomach area

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Flutamide can interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you might be taking. That’s why your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. If you’re curious about how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: You can reduce your chances of drug interactions by having all of your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. That way, a pharmacist can check for possible drug interactions.

Medications that might interact with this drug

Blood thinners (anticoagulants)

• warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

It may take longer for your blood to clot if you start flutamide after being on a blood thinner for a long time. Your warfarin dose might be changed if you take these medications together.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Flutamide warnings

People with severe liver dysfunction

Flutamide may cause liver failure. It can lead to hospitalization, and may even be fatal. Liver failure may be more likely to occur during the first 3 months of treatment with flutamide. Your doctor should check your liver function before starting and during treatment. You may not be able to take this drug if your liver problems are severe.

Allergies

Flutamide can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

• trouble breathing
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe, call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it before. Taking it a second time after an allergic reaction could be fatal.

All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

What are you taking this medication for?

Prostate cancer Form: Oral capsule Strengths: 250 mg Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

The recommended dose is two 125-mg capsules (250 mg), taken by mouth every 8 hours, three times per day. The total daily dose is 750 mg.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This medication hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in people under the age of 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

Older adults may process drugs more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lower dose.

Special considerations

People with liver disease: You may not be able to take flutamide if your liver disease is severe. Talk to your doctor to find out if this drug is safe for you.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Flutamide warnings

You should take flutamide every 8 hours

Don’t crush or cut flutamide capsules

Flutamide must be stored at the right temperature

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Travel

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Clinical monitoring

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Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead.

Insurance

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Are there any alternatives?