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Overview: Nilutamide is used to treat prostate cancer. Common side effects include hot flashes, nausea, constipation, headaches, vision changes, and dizziness. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how nilutamide affects you. Call your health care provider right away if you get severe nausea, stomach pain, or new or worsening breathing problems.

Uses

What is nilutamide used for?

Nilutamide is commonly used to treat prostate cancer.

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

How does nilutamide work (mechanism of action)?

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

How is nilutamide supplied (dosage forms)?

Brand and other names

  • Nilandron

Dosage form and strength

  • 150 mg oral tablets

How should I store nilutamide?

Nilutamide 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 nilutamide 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 nilutamide?

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

  • Hot flashes
  • Vision changes (see below)
  • Nausea, constipation, and stomach pain
  • Dizziness
  • High blood pressure
  • Headache
  • Decreased appetite
  • Low sex drive
  • Problems getting or keeping an erection

There may be other side effects of nilutamide 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 nilutamide?

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

Severe Allergic Reactions. Nilutamide may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking nilutamide 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. Nilutamide may cause liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, which can be fatal in rare cases. Nilutamide may also cause an inflamed liver (hepatitis). Keep all appointments, including lab appointments, while you are taking nilutamide. 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)

Lung Inflammation. Nilutamide can cause inflammation in your lungs, also called interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis. This can be serious or even life-threatening. If you have new or worsening breathing problems, stop nilutamide and get emergency help right away. You may also have a cough, fever, or chest pain.

Vision Changes. Nilutamide can cause vision changes. The most common one is trouble seeing in the dark after being in a brightly lit area. Trouble seeing can last from seconds to a few minutes. Wearing tinted glasses may help. Do not drive at night or through tunnels until you know how this medicine may affect you. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following vision problems while taking nilutamide. 

  • Problems seeing in the dark
  • Trouble adjusting to see as light changes
  • Problems seeing in bright light (photophobia) 
  • Changes in how you see colors, or a colored tint to your vision
  • Cloudy, blurry, or other abnormal vision

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use nilutamide?

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

  • Nilandron
  • Nilutamide
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

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

Liver Problems. Nilutamide 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.

Breathing Problems. Nilutamide should not be used if you have severe breathing problems. If there is a concern about your breathing or lungs, your health care provider may do tests to know if it is safe for you to take this medicine.

What should I know about nilutamide before using it?

Do not take nilutamide unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed. Do not change your dose or stop taking nilutamide 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 nilutamide is working and to watch for side effects. 

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

Keep nilutamide out of the reach of children.

Nilutamide may cause dizziness or vision changes. Do not drive, especially when it is getting dark or through tunnels, or do anything that requires coordination or clear vision until you know how nilutamide affects you.

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

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 nilutamide is right for you.

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

Other Medicines and Supplements. Nilutamide may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking nilutamide, 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 nilutamide. If you can get pregnant, you should not touch nilutamide tablets without wearing gloves. This medicine can be absorbed through your skin and may harm an unborn baby.

Breastfeeding. People who can breastfeed are not usually prescribed nilutamide. If you are breastfeeding, do not touch nilutamide tablets without wearing gloves. This medicine can be absorbed through your skin and may harm your baby.

Interactions

Does nilutamide interact with foods or drinks?

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

Nilutamide may cause some people to have trouble tolerating alcohol (alcohol intolerance). Symptoms may include warmth or redness of your face, low blood pressure, dizziness, or feeling unwell after drinking alcohol. If you have any of these symptoms after drinking alcohol, it is best to avoid alcohol while taking this medicine.

Does nilutamide 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 any of the following before taking nilutamide.

  • Warfarin, which is a blood thinner
  • Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others), which is a medicine to control seizures
  • Theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24), which is a medicine for asthma or certain other breathing problems

Nilutamide may alter the blood levels of many other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with nilutamide. 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 nilutamide?

If you or someone else has taken too much nilutamide, 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 nilutamide?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.