Flutamide

The recommended dose is 250 mg 3 times daily at 8 hour intervals. This treatment should be started at the same time as treatment with an LHRH analogue (e.g., leuprolide) or after surgical removal of the testicles.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Flutamide may be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

It is important to take Flutamide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Flutamide at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause hot flashes; it may cause diarrhea; it may lower your sex drive (libido); it may cause nausea and vomiting; it may cause difficulty with erection. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Flutamide by Schering-Plough Canada Inc. is no longer being manufactured for sale in Canada. For brands that may still be available, search under flutamide. This article is being kept available for reference purposes only. If you are using Flutamide, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about your treatment options.

Do not take flutamide if you:

• are allergic to flutamide or any ingredients of the medication
• are female
• have severely reduced liver function

There may be an interaction between flutamide and any of the following:

• Abiraterone acetate
• Carbamazepine
• Cyproterone
• Deferasirox
• ethinyl Estradiol
• Gemfibrozil
• peginterferon alfa-2b
• Phenobarbital
• primidone
• Primaquine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Ofloxacin)
• rifampin
• Stiripentol
• Teriflunomide
• Tizanidine
• Tranylcypromine
• Vemurafenib

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Flutamide. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Flutamide.

Anemia: Flutamide may cause low levels of red blood cells. If you experience symptoms of reduced red blood cell count (anemia) such as shortness of breath, feeling unusually tired, or pale skin, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Your doctor will do blood tests regularly to monitor the number of specific types of blood cells, including red blood cells, in your blood.

Heart problems: Flutamide may cause fluid retention and swelling. As a result, there is an increased amount of work for the heart to pump the blood around the body. People with problems such as high blood pressure and Congestive Heart Failure are more likely to feel this effect. People with heart problems should discuss with their doctor how Flutamide may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Flutamide, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Flutamide is broken down and removed from the body by the liver and may cause liver problems. People with liver disease or decreased liver function should discuss with their doctor how Flutamide may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Flutamide, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of liver problems (e.g., abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, feeling unwell, fever, itching, yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine), contact your doctor immediately.

Osteoporosis: Long-term use of medications such as flutamide has been shown to cause reduced bone strength and may increase the risk of bone fractures. If you have osteoporosis or are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis, discuss with your doctor how Flutamide may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Flutamide, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Flutamide is not intended for women to use. The safety and effectiveness of Flutamide has not been established for pregnant women.

Breast-feeding: Flutamide is not intended for women to use. Therefore it should not be used by breast-feeding women.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Flutamide have not been established for children.

This medication is typically used 3 times a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. It must be used regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Be sure to keep an adequate supply on hand. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication may be taken with or without food.