Flutamide

Indications

Flutamide is used for: Prostate cancer

Adult Dose

Oral Palliative treatment of prostatic carcinoma Adult: 250 mg tid preferably at least 3 days before gonadorelin analogue treatment.

Child Dose

Renal Dose

Administration

May be taken with or without food.

Contra Indications

Hypersensitivity, severe hepatic impairment, pregnancy and lactation.

Precautions

Perform liver function tests before starting treatment and at regular intervals. Treatment is not recommended in patients whose ALT values exceed twice the upper limit of normal. Regular assessment of prostate specific antigen level may help to monitor disease progression. Advise patient against discontinuing drug on their own. Exercise caution in patients with cardiac disease. Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; not recommended

Pregnancy-Lactation

Pregnancy Category: D Lactation: Excretion in milk unknown; not recommended

Interactions

Increased prothrombin time in patients on long-term warfarin treatment.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Flutamide : >10% Hot flashes (61%), Decreased libido (36%), Impotence (31%), Diarrhea (12%), Nausea/vomiting (11%) 1-10% Gynecomastia (9%), Anorexia (4%), Edema (4%), Leukopenia (3%), Rash (3%) Frequency Not Defined Hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia Increased AST, ALT, bilirubin, BUN

Mechanism of Action

Flutamide is a nonsteroidal 'pure' antiandrogen which acts directly on the target tissues either by blocking androgen uptake or by inhibiting cytoplasmic and nuclear binding of androgen.