Flutamide

U.S. Brand Names

Eulexin®

Canadian Brand Names

Apo-Flutamide®; Euflex®; Eulexin®; Novo-Flutamide

Mexican Brand Names

Eulexin; Fluken; Flulem; Tafenil

Pharmacologic Category

Antineoplastic Agent, Antiandrogen

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

This medicine may cause liver problems. Blood tests will be needed to watch for any liver problems. They will be done before you start taking this medicine and every 4 weeks during treatment. Signs of liver problems include dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, nausea, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Call healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to flutamide or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have liver disease.

• If you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat prostate cancer.

• This medicine is used to treat increased hair growth in females.

How does it work?

• Flutamide slows prostate cancer growth by lowering testosterone levels.

• It decreases hair growth in females by lowering testosterone levels.

How is it best taken?

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.

• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.

• If you are a male and sexually active, protect your partner from pregnancy. Use birth control that you can trust.

• Use birth control that you can trust to prevent pregnancy while taking this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Flushing. Wearing layers of clothes or summer clothes and cool environment may help.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Breast tenderness.

• Breast enlargement.

• Skin irritation.

• Change in sexual ability or desire. This is usually reversible.

• Sunburn.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Check weight weekly. Report a weight loss to healthcare provider.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Signs or symptoms of infection. These include a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, chills, severe sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, increased sputum or change in color, painful urination, mouth sores, wound that will not heal, or anal itching or pain.

• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Belly pain.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Severe skin irritation.

• Swelling of hands or feet.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 12:44:14.0

Modified: 2008-02-14 08:19:00.0

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