Type of medicine: antiandrogen; anticancer
Generic and brand names: flutamide, oral
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat prostate cancer. It is usually taken with other medicines to stop the growth of cancer cells. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Also tell your healthcare provider if you have ever smoked cigarettes.
This medicine may make men sterile (unable to have children). If you plan to have children someday, talk with your healthcare provider before you start treatment.
Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not given to women.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. It is important to take it with any other medicine your healthcare provider prescribes or gives you by injection. Do not stop taking any of your medicines, even if you feel better. Only your healthcare provider can tell you when to stop the medicines.
If you have trouble swallowing, the capsule may be opened and the powder sprinkled on soft food such as applesauce. Do not mix with liquids.
Follow your healthcare provider's instructions exactly. Try not to miss any doses.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms.
You will need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
This medicine may affect your liver. Stop taking this medicine and contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
Alcohol may increase your risk of side effects. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
This medicine may make you drowsy or confused. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert and can think clearly.
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun and may cause you to sunburn more easily. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. While you are in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen lotion until you know how you will react to the sun. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; rapid heartbeat; chest pain; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Stomach pain, fever, confusion, muscle aches and pains, unusual tiredness, yellow color of eyes or skin, pale bowel movements, rash, brown urine.
Other: Drowsiness, confusion, depression, headache, hot flashes, loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction, diarrhea, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, breast enlargement or tenderness.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
