Androgens are male hormones such as testosterone. They have many actions in the body and work by binding to receptors on cells and influencing the actions of these cells. Prostate cancers generally require the androgen testosterone in order to grow and spread. Flutamide is used in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer. It works by preventing testosterone from binding to androgen receptors in the prostate gland. It also acts on an area of the brain called the hypothalamus, which ultimately results in a reduction in the amount of testosterone produced by the body. It therefore starves prostate cancer cells of testosterone, which prevents them growing. Eventually the prostate tumour will shrink.
In the treatment of prostate cancer, flutamide is usually used in combination with another type of medicine known as a gonadorelin or LHRH analogue. LHRH analogues are one of the standard treatments for prostate cancer and include medicines such as buserelin, goserelin, leuprorelin and triptorelin. This class of medicines also work by decreasing testosterone levels and starving the cancer of testosterone. However, at the start of treatment they can cause a short-term increase in testosterone levels that makes the symptoms worse (flare) before they start to improve. Flutamide is used to block the effects of this increased testosterone and prevent the symptom flare during initial treatment with this type of medicine.
Flutamide is also used on its own to treat prostate cancer in men for whom LHRH analogues are not suitable.
Warnings
It is recommended that you avoid drinking excessive amounts of alcohol while taking this medicine.
You should have regular blood tests to monitor your liver function while taking this medicine.
This medicine can sometimes cause liver problems. Consult your doctor promptly if you develop unexplained itching, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusually dark urine, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pains, loss of appetite or flu-like symptoms.
This medicine may reduce sperm count in men who have not been castrated. Regular sperm counts may be desirable for such men.
Use with caution if you have decreased liver function or heart disease.
Not to be used by women.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby.Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
This medicine is for use by men only. It should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
- tiredness
- disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity)
- abnormal enlargement of breasts in men (gynaecomastia)
- increased appetite
- abnormal production of breast milk (galactorrhoea)
- excessive breakdown of red blood cells that reduces red blood cell count (haemolytic anaemia)
- decrease in production of sperm
- decreased sex drive
- breast tenderness
- liver disorders
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
Flutamide may increase the blood thinning or anti-clotting effects of the anticoagulant medicine warfarin. Blood clotting times should be monitored if this medicine is added to warfarin treatment.
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