Nilutamide is an oral non-steroidal anti-androgenic drug used to treat prostate cancer. It was approved by the FDA on 30 December 1996.

Nilutamide is in a class of medications called nonsteroidal antiandrogens.  It is used for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer (a type of cancer that has spread beyond the prostate gland to other parts of the body). This mainly occurs when cancer cells break away from the prostate gland and travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other organs, such as the bones, lungs, liver, or brain.

Nilutamide is a prescribed drug available as a 150 mg tablet. The recommended dosage of this drug is 300 mg once a day for the first 30 days, followed by 150 mg once a day thereafter. This tablet can be taken with or without food. However, it is advised to take the tablet at the same time each day to maintain a consistent level of the medication in your body.

The common side effects of Nilutamide are nausea, alcohol intolerance, dizziness, vision problems, loss of appetite, anemia, and muscle pain. Other serious side effects include changes in liver function, high blood glucose levels, and breathing trouble. Inform your physician if you face any of the symptoms.

Nilutamide tablets are contraindicated in those who have allergic reactions to the drug or any of the tablet’s components. The symptoms of the hypersensitivity reaction include rash, redness, inflammation in the skin, and swelling in the legs, hands, and ankles. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, notify your physician immediately. Severe liver injury and bleeding have been reported with the continuous use of this drug. Your physician may take blood tests before, during, and after the treatment to monitor your liver function and the possibility of bleeding. Interstitial pneumonitis has been reported as a serious side effect of this drug. It is important to inform your doctor if you experience any side effects while taking Nilutamide. Some common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, breast tenderness or enlargement, and changes in vision. In some people, this drug may cause vision problems. It is necessary to speak with your doctor if you have any pre-existing eye conditions or if you are taking any other medications that may affect your vision before starting treatment with this medicine. Your doctor may recommend regular eye exams to monitor any changes in vision while taking this medication.

Nilutamide is highly advised to avoid consuming alcohol altogether while taking this tablet. Report to your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms like facial flushes, malaise, and hypotension (low blood pressure). Women of childbearing age should avoid becoming pregnant while taking this medication as it can cause birth defects. If you are a man taking this medicine and your partner becomes pregnant, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider right away. They may recommend the use of effective contraception during treatment with this medicine to prevent unintended pregnancy. As this medicine interacts with other medications, like blood thinners and certain antibiotics. It should not be used with these medications unless directed by a healthcare provider.

Avoid keeping the tablet in direct sunlight or in excessive moisture. Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children. Store the tablets at room temperature. Nilutamide may cause dizziness if you are affected by this side effect, then do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. If you miss a dose of this tablet, take it as soon as you remember. 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 dose.

1. ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc-Nilutamide. Revised in 2015.(Accessed April 28, 2023).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2016/207631Orig1s000.pdf
2. Nilandron prescribing information - Sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC-Sanofi. Available at: https://products.sanofi.us/nilandron/nilandron.html  (Accessed April 28, 2023).
3. Marina D. Kaymakcalan and Christy S. Harris, Prostate Cancer, Applied Therapeutics, The Clinical Use Of Drugs, 11th Edition, 2018, 2083-2100.
4. Bertram.G.Katzung, Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Chemotherapeutic drugs, 14th edition, 2017, 972.

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 can receive this treatment.