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flutamide (oral)
flutamide (oral)
What is the most important information I should know about flutamide?
What is the most important information I should know about flutamide?
Flutamide can cause serious liver problems. Call your doctor at once if you have upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
What is flutamide?
What is flutamide?
Flutamide is used to treat prostate cancer.
Flutamide is given in combination with another medicine called a luteinizing (LOO-tee-in-ize-ing) hormone-releasing hormone, or LHRH. LHRH helps prevent the testicles from producing testosterone.
Flutamide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking flutamide?
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking flutamide?
You should not use flutamide if you are allergic to it, or if you have severe liver problems.
Flutamide should never be taken by a woman or a child.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- liver disease;
- a genetic enzyme deficiency called glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency;
- hemoglobin M disease;
- if you smoke; or
- if you also take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven).
Although flutamide is not for use by women, this medicine can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy.
How should I take flutamide?
How should I take flutamide?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Flutamide is usually taken every 8 hours.
Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Drink plenty of liquids. Your doctor may recommend a special diet to help prevent diarrhea.
You will need frequent medical tests.
It is recommended you get blood tests: before starting treatment with flutamide, every month for the first 4 months of treatment, and periodically after the first 4 months.
Call your doctor if you have severe or ongoing diarrhea. Your doctor may recommend an anti-diarrhea medicine.
You should not stop using flutamide suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your LHRH injection.
What happens if I overdose?
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking flutamide?
What should I avoid while taking flutamide?
To help prevent diarrhea, avoid dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Do not use laxatives while taking flutamide.
What are the possible side effects of flutamide?
What are the possible side effects of flutamide?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Flutamide can cause serious liver problems. Call your doctor at once if you have:
- nausea, upper stomach pain, loss of appetite;
- itching, tiredness, flu-like symptoms;
- dark urine, clay-colored stools; or
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects may include:
- breast swelling or tenderness;
- hot flashes;
- vomiting, nausea, diarrhea; or
- impotence, loss of interest in sex.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect flutamide?
What other drugs will affect flutamide?
Other drugs may affect flutamide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about flutamide.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
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