FLUTAMIDE
FLUTAMIDE (FLUTE-am-eyed)
Other Names for this Medication: Euflex®, Drogenil®, Eulexin ®, Apo-flutamide®, Novo-flutamide®, Pms-flutamide® (Brand Names)
Appearance
Oral Tablets: Round, pale yellow, tablet containing 250 mg of flutamide.
Why this Medication is Used
This medication may be used alone, or in combination with other medications for the treatment of prostate cancer. Flutamide blocks the male hormone that stimulates the growth of prostate cancer cells.
How do you take this Medication
Oral Tablets: Take this drug by mouth, with or without food, as ordered by your doctor.
Precautions
• Other medications may interact with Flutamide. Do not start taking new medications without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Tell your doctor if you are taking blood-thinning drugs such as Coumadin® (Warfarin).
• Tell all other doctors or dentists that you are taking Flutamide, before you receive treatment from them.
• Store Flutamide tablets at room temperature. Keep out of the reach of children.
For more information on this medication, please call your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
|
SIDE EFFECTS |
PREVENTION |
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO |
|
MORE COMMON: |
||
| • Breast enlargement, tenderness, and/or discharge.
• Amber or yellow-green urine |
• Will disappear when you no longer take the drug or take a lower dose of Flutamide. (Your doctor will tell you if your dose is to be changed).
• Tell your doctor on your next visit if these effects bother you. • Will return to its normal colour when you stop taking flutamide. |
|
| LESS COMMON: | ||
| • Loss of appetite, upset stomach, diarrhea.
• Tiredness • Swelling of hands or ankles (due to fluid retention). • Hot flashes • Impotence or decreased libido |
• Tell your doctor on your next visit if these effects become bothersome.
• Tell your doctor or nurse if this occurs. • Tell your doctor or nurse if this occurs and is bothersome. |
|
| RARE: | ||
| • Nausea and Vomiting
• Pain or swelling in legs, calf tenderness or • hardened vein, trouble eathing, chest pain (signs of a blood clot) • Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. • Itchiness, dark urine, persistent loss of appetite, yellow skin, pain at your right-side below the ribs or unexplained “flu-like” illness. |
Avoid tight clothing and sitting with your legs crossed at the knees, maintain an active lifestyle and drink lots of fluid. | • If nausea becomes a problem for you, your doctor may prescribe anti-nausea medication.
• Seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY • Seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY! • Seek medical attention IMMEDIATELY! |
Posted in: Drugs