Flutamide
About
Flutamide belongs to the group of medicine called ‘anti-cancer’ that is primarily indicated in the treatment of prostate cancer. When cells grow abnormally in the prostate gland (found in a man's lower abdomen) then they form a tumor in the prostate and it is called prostate cancer. This cancer if not detected and treated at earlier stages, may spread to other areas of the body. As cancerous cells are made up of the prostate so it will still be called prostate cancer.
Flutamide contains 'Flutamide' which falls in the category of medicines known as 'anti-androgens (anti-testosterone)'. Testosterone is a natural hormone produced by the body but this hormone helps prostate cancer to grow and spread in the body. Flutamide works by stopping the action of this hormone thereby reducing the growth and spread of cancer.
Take Flutamide as prescribed by your doctor. You are suggested to take Flutamide as long as your doctor has prescribed it after checking your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of interest in sexual ability, nausea, and enlargement of breasts may happen. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Flutamide for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Do not take Flutamide if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy as Flutamide causes serious birth defects. Flutamide should not be taken by breastfeeding mothers as it passes into breast milk and may cause possible risk to the infant. Elderly people are more sensitive to medicine so the doctor may adjust the dosage according to the condition. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Flutamide as it could lead to increased dizziness.
Uses of Flutamide
Medicinal Benefits
Flutamide is indicated is suggested to makes dealing with advanced prostatic cancer. This medicine is used to improve the quality of life (palliative) by reducing the suffering of prostate cancer in males. When taken orally (mouth), this medicine travel through the blood stream and reaches cancer cells in affected parts of the body. In most cases of prostate cancer, cancerous cells require testosterone to attach proteins for their growth. This medicine prevents testosterone to reach these cancerous cells. In this way, Flutamide slows down the growth of cancer or make cancerous cells die.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Flutamide
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea.
- Hot flashes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Enlarged breasts
- Loss of appetite
- Dark coloured urine
- Lowered interest in sexual activity
- Not able to get or keep an erection.
- Upset stomach or throwing up
- Hair loss
- A butterfly shaped rash normally across the nose and cheeks
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
It is advised to tell your doctor if you have an allergy to any of the components present in Flutamide or any other food or drinks. With it, also tell them if you have liver disease or increased liver enzymes. Flutamide is not allowed to use in females. It is advised to go for regular blood tests, every month for the first four months as it will help to know the response of medicine. If you are going for any dental treatment or any surgery then it is advised to tell the person who is performing the treatment about the Flutamide. You are advised to drink a lot of liquid and a special diet to reduce the risk of diarrhea as suggested by your doctor. It is advised to avoid any dairy product like milk, yogurt, and cheese to avoid the risk of diarrhea.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Flutamide may have interaction with other drugs containing testosterone, anabolic steroids (oxandrolone, oxymetholone), anticoagulant (warfarin) and laxatives(methylcellulose).
Drug-Food Interaction: It is advised to avoid any dairy product like milk, yogurt and cheese to avoid risk of diarrhea.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Flutamide should be taken with caution in persons dealing with liver disease or increased liver enzymes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption with Flutamide as it may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness or difficulty in concentrating.
Pregnancy
unsafeFlutamide is restricted to use in pregnancy. Flutamide is not approved to use in females.
Breast Feeding
unsafeFlutamide is restricted to use in lactating mothers. Flutamide is not approved to use in females.
Driving
cautionFlutamide may make you dizzy so it is advised to avoid driving or doing any work that needs mental alertness.
Liver
cautionFlutamide should be taken with caution in liver disease. The dose may be adjusted by the doctor according to the medical condition of the patient.
Kidney
cautionFlutamide should be taken with caution in kidney disease. The dose may be adjusted by the doctor according to the medical condition of the patient.
Children
unsafeFlutamide is not recommended for children below 18 years as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- To persons dealing with prostate cancer, it is often suggested to take cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, spinach and kale. This food slows the growth of prostate cancer and even reduces the risk of prostate cancer.
- It is advised to avoid red meat or a diet high in meat. When meat is cooked it may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. It is also advised to consume fewer dairy products as these foods may also increase the risk of prostate cancer.
- Physical activity helps in strengthening muscles reduces fatigue, helping in weight loss and gives strength. Gentle activities like 20-30minutes of walking or swimming would be helpful.
- Performing yoga and other relaxation techniques may also help in improving physical and mental health and may reduce your stress levels.
- Maintain a healthy weight by performing regular low-strain exercises and eating healthy food.
- Get adequate sleep as resting helps in improving your health, and mental ability and improves attention.
- De-stress yourself by meditating, reading books, taking a warm bubble bath, or listening to soothing music.
- Eat food rich in antioxidants such as berries, spinach, kidney beans, dark chocolate, etc.
- Foods containing fiber help in better digestion. These include beans, peas, lentils, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
Special Advise
- The PSA test is a type of blood test that is done to detect prostate cancer.
- Your doctor may suggest regular liver function test to look for any liver damage due to Flutamide.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Prostate cancer: It is a serious illness that affects men of middle age and older. The prostate gland is controlled by the testosterone hormone. It is found in men's lower glands. Prostate cancer starts when the cells of the prostate gland start growing uncontrollably in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is of two types: fast and slow-growing. When fast-growing (aggressive) cancer occur, tumor (the group of cancerous cells) grow quickly and may spread to other parts of the body like bones. When nonaggressive (slow-growing) cancer occurs, either it does not grow or grow very little with time.
FAQs
To the persons dealing with prostate cancer, it is often suggested to take cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, spinach and kale. This food slows the growth of prostate cancer and even reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
It is advised to avoid red meat or a diet high in meat. As when meat is cooked it may increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. It is also advised to consume fewer dairy products as these foods may also increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Please consult with your doctor if you experience pain or burning sensation during urinating, frequent urination, trouble in stopping or starting urination, blood in urine and sudden erectile dysfunctioning. These may be the signs of prostate cancer.
Elderly persons are more sensitive to the negative effects of Flutamide especially drowsiness, so your doctor may adjust the dosage according to your age and medical condition.
It is advised to tell your doctor if you have an allergy to any of the components present in Flutamide or any other food or drinks. With it, also tell them if you have liver disease or increased liver enzymes. Flutamide is not allowed to use in females.
In such a case, it is advised, you should drink a lot of noncaffeine liquids unless your doctor told you not to do so. you should eat more vegetables, fruits, vegetables and should avoid taking any type of laxatives(medicine to relieve constipation).
