Flutamide - Oral

Flutamide is used together with other medicines to treat cancer of the prostate gland. This medicine reduces the size of the tumour by stopping cancer cells from growing.

Take Flutamide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.

Flutamide is available as a tablet or capsule. Swallow the tablet or capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not divide, chew or crush the tablet or capsule.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on your response to the medication.

Flutamide must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have severe liver disease as Flutamide may not be suitable for you.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• heart disease
• G6PD deficiency (an inherited blood disorder where the body lacks a certain enzyme necessary for the proper functioning of red blood cells)
• diabetes
• porphyria (an inherited disorder that causes skin or nervous system abnormalities)
• mild to moderate liver disease
• kidney disease

Notify your doctor if you are a smoker or if you consume large amounts of alcohol.

Flutamide is not indicated for use in women.

Men should not father a child while being treated with this medicine. Men must use proven birth control methods during Flutamide therapy. You may wish to discuss reliable methods of birth control with your doctor.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. liver and heart function, bone density, prostate test) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Regular monitoring for signs of lung and liver problems may also be needed.

Flutamide may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.

Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, breast pain, hot flushes, increased appetite, and difficulty sleeping.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• blue or gray colouration of the lips, nails or skin; seizures, severe dizziness, severe headache, feeling very sleepy, abnormal heartbeat
• passing out, confusion, pale skin

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol
• medicines used to treat malaria (a disease characterised by chills, fever and sweating that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito) e.g. quinine
• medicines for mood disorders e.g. chlorpromazine
• certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin
• strong painkillers e.g. methadone
• blood-thinning medicines e.g. warfarin
• asthma medicines e.g. theophylline, salbutamol

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Flutamide.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol. Consuming large amounts of alcohol is very damaging to the liver.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.

As this is a cancer medicine, always return any unused or expired capsules to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.