The U.S. FDA-approved Flutamide to treat people with prostate cancer conditions on 27th January 1989.

Flutamide is used to treat advanced prostate cancer in men. This cancer leads to uncontrolled growth of the prostate, which spreads to the bones of the back, hips, and pelvis. This medicine can also be used after the surgical removal of testicles. In combination with other medicines (LHRH agonists), it is used to decrease testosterone levels in the body. 

Flutamide is an orally administered drug. Take medicine as informed by your physician. It is usually taken after food with a glass of water. Take the medicine at around the same time every day. Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Do not stop taking Flutamide without talking to your doctor.

The most common side effects of Flutamide are hot flashes, decreased sex drive, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, enlarged, painful breast tissue, milk production from the breasts, increased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and tiredness. 

Serious side effects while taking Flutamide are liver problems (hepatitis), stomach pain, dark urine, allergic reaction swelling in the leg and other parts.

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to Flutamide and its other ingredient. Before starting the treatment, inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems, heart disorders (arrhythmia), blood vessel conditions, osteoporosis (brittle bones), or chest conditions like breathlessness. This drug is not recommended for women. It is advised for men to use contraception. Consult a doctor for more information. Flutamide should be used cautiously in patients with liver problems. Dose adjustments are necessary for liver failure patients. Inform your physician if you have any liver diseases before initiating the therapy. Your physician will monitor your liver functions before and during this treatment.

Flutamide is not recommended for women and children. Your doctor will measure the bone mineral density; since this medicine can increase the risk of bone fractures. Inform your doctor if you are intolerant to lactose, as this medicine contains lactose monohydrate. Consult your doctor for more information. Caution is required while driving and operating machinery when you take Flutamide tablets because it may cause dizziness, sleepiness, tiredness, and a risk of falling. It is unsafe to consume excessive alcohol. So, stop consuming alcohol if you are taking this medicine.

Sperm counts will be done if you have undergone castration. Dose adjustments is based on your blood test. Your doctor may stop the medicine if you experience any liver injury like jaundice, dark urine, or abdominal pain. Flutamide tablets may be given in combination with LHRH agonists. If you had castrated in the past, you would not have been given this combination of medicine. In elders, medicine usage should be exactly as the doctor prescribed. Store Flutamide in the original package at room temperature (20°C to 25°C). Keep the tablets away from the reach of children and pets. If you missed a dose, do not take a double dose for the forgotten dose. If you have overdosed on Flutamide tablets or someone accidentally takes your tablet, contact the hospital or a doctor immediately for medical advice.

1. Mylan, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on Aug 2020] [Accessed on 11th Aug 2021], https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.8428.pdf
2. Marina D. Kaymakcalan and Christy S. Harris, Prostate Cancer, Applied Therapeutics, The Clinical Use Of Drugs, 11th Edition, 2018, 2083-2100

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.