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Overview: Flutamide is used for certain types of prostate cancer. Common side effects include hot flashes, diarrhea, and sexual problems. Keep all appointments to have your blood checked, as this medicine can damage your liver. Tell your health care provider right away if you get body aches, severe nausea, or your pee (urine) turns a brownish color.

Uses

What is flutamide used for?

Flutamide is commonly used to treat certain types of prostate cancer.

Flutamide may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does flutamide work (mechanism of action)?

Prostate cancer cells need certain hormones, called androgens, to grow. Flutamide works by blocking the effects of androgens, which can help slow the growth of prostate cancer. 

How is flutamide supplied (dosage forms)?

Dosage form and strength

  • 125 mg oral capsules

How should I store flutamide?

Flutamide should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store flutamide in a tightly closed container that protects the medicine from light. Keep it in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of flutamide?

The most common side effects of flutamide are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

There may be other side effects of flutamide that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of flutamide?

While less common, the most serious side effects of flutamide are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Flutamide may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking flutamide and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Liver Damage. Flutamide may cause liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, which can be fatal in rare cases. Keep all appointments, including lab appointments, while you are taking flutamide. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Body aches
  • Light-colored poop
  • Brown urine
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (jaundice)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use flutamide?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take flutamide.

  • Eulexin
  • Flutamide
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific flutamide products they stock.

Liver Problems. Flutamide should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your health care provider may do tests to find out if it is working well enough for you to take this medicine.

What should I know about flutamide before using it?

Do not take flutamide unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed. Do not change your dose or stop taking flutamide without talking to your health care provider.

Keep all appointments, including those for lab work and tests. These tests are used to see how well flutamide is working and to watch for side effects. 

Do not share flutamide with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep flutamide out of the reach of children.

Your skin may be very sensitive to light from the sun and devices that give off similar light, such as sunlamps and tanning beds, while you are taking certain medicines, including flutamide. This is called photosensitivity. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you need to be in the sunlight. 

Flutamide may lower sperm counts and affect your ability to get your partner pregnant. Talk with your health care provider if you have concerns about this.

What should I tell my health care provider before using flutamide?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if flutamide is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Smoking. Flutamide breaks down in the body into a substance that can affect how your blood carries oxygen. People who smoke tobacco can be more sensitive to this substance and may need close monitoring to watch for side effects. Tell your health care provider if you smoke before taking flutamide.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Flutamide may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking flutamide, tell your health care provider about any prescription or OTC medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. People who can become pregnant are not usually prescribed flutamide. If you can get pregnant, you should not touch flutamide without wearing gloves. This medicine can be absorbed through your skin and may harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if your partner is pregnant or plans to become pregnant. 

Breastfeeding. People who can breastfeed are not usually prescribed flutamide. It is not known if flutamide passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if your partner is or is planning to breastfeed. If you are breastfeeding, do not touch flutamide without wearing gloves. This medicine can be absorbed through your skin and may harm your baby.

Interactions

Does flutamide interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between flutamide and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect flutamide. 

Does flutamide interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking warfarin, which is a blood thinner, before taking flutamide.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with flutamide. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally take too much flutamide?

If you or someone else has taken too much flutamide, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of flutamide?

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Take the next dose when you normally would. Do not take double or extra doses.