Flutamide

What condition does Flutamide treat?

Flutamide is used to treat men with prostate cancer. This prescription may be used with other medications and sometimes with radiation treatments. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in men. It makes the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.  

Flutamide belongs to the class of medicines known as anti-testosterone or anti-androgens. Testosterones are a natural hormone that helps prostate cancer to develop and spread. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved this medication.

How does Flutamide work?

Flutamide is one of a class of drugs known as anti-androgens. It acts by directly blocking the cancer-promoting activities of androgens or male sex hormones. Wherein, the principal one is testosterone. Control of metastatic prostate cancer is based on androgen deprivation. Combining this drug with an LHRH agonist is intended to achieve maximum androgen blockade. Thereby it inhibits cancer growth.

What is the recommended dosage for Flutamide?

This medicine is to be taken by mouth with a full glass of water. You may take it with or without food. The medicine is usually taken 3 times a day. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.

Do not suddenly stop the medication or change the dosage without consulting your doctor. Stopping the medication could allow cancer to spread more rapidly. Follow the exact prescription of your doctor for best results.

What are the side effects of Flutamide?

  • Hot flashes
  • Breast swelling or tenderness
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of interest in sex
  • Impotence
  • Nausea
  • Upper stomach pain
  • Dark urine
  • Jaundice or yellowing of the skin or eyes

Call for medical assistance if you have signs of an allergic reaction such as:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swelling of your throat, face, face, and tongue
  • Hives

What are the precautions in taking Flutamide?

  • Before taking this medication, let your doctor know if you have any allergies. This may have an inactive ingredient that causes an allergic reaction.
  • Tell your doctor about any current treatments or medications you have.
  • You should not share this with others who have the same symptoms as yours.
  • Avoid driving or do anything that needs your alertness. This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy.
  • Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking this medicine. Flutamide may cause facial flushing and drinking alcohol could worsen it.
  • You should know that this drug is only for use in men. If taken by pregnant women, this may harm the fetus. Women who are or may become pregnant should not take this medication. If you take this while you are pregnant, call your doctor.
  • Tell your doctor if you smoke and if you ever had any inherited blood diseases such as hemoglobin m disease or glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
  • Continue your normal diet if you have any special dietary instructions unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
  •  Keep this away from the heat or moisture.