flutamide at a glance
Medicine class
Non-steroidal antiandrogen
Usual role
Advanced prostate cancer requiring suppression of testosterone effects
Administration
Oral tablet, preferably taken after meals
Important monitoring
Regular liver-function blood tests because serious liver injury can occur
What is flutamide used for?
Licensed for advanced prostate cancer where suppression of testosterone effects is indicated.
Alongside an LHRH agonist when hormonal treatment begins
As additional treatment during LHRH agonist treatment
After surgical castration
When other hormonal treatments have not worked or cannot be tolerated
How does flutamide work?
Flutamide is converted to active hydroxyflutamide, which blocks androgen binding and uptake in target tissues. This reduces testosterone-driven stimulation of prostate cancer cells.
flutamide preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 250 mg
How to take flutamide
Take the tablets exactly as prescribed, preferably after meals, and swallow with water. Do not stop without speaking to the prescribing team unless urgent liver-injury symptoms occur.
This is an immediate-release oral tablet.
The selected product contains lactose.
Avoid excessive alcohol because of potential liver and kidney toxicity.
flutamide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness, sleepiness or difficulty sleeping
- Increased appetite
- Changes in liver-function tests
- Breast enlargement or tenderness, particularly when used alone
- Hot flushes, reduced sexual desire or erectile dysfunction when used with an LHRH agonist
Get urgent medical advice
- Liver injury, including jaundice, dark urine, itching or persistent loss of appetite
- New or worsening breathlessness, which may indicate interstitial pneumonitis
- Severe allergic reaction with swelling or breathing difficulty
- Marked swelling, chest pain or symptoms of worsening heart failure
- Severe blistering, ulcerating or peeling skin reactions
flutamide in pregnancy
Flutamide is licensed only for male patients. Animal evidence indicates potential fetal harm. Contraceptive measures should be used during treatment, and specialist advice is needed if pregnancy exposure is possible.
flutamide while breastfeeding
Flutamide is not licensed for women, and its safety during breastfeeding has not been established. It is unknown whether clinically relevant amounts enter human milk, so specialist advice is required for any exposure.
flutamide interactions
Review prescribed, over-the-counter and complementary products before treatment.
Oral anticoagulants, including warfarin
May prolong clotting time, requiring closer monitoring and possible anticoagulant adjustment.
Theophylline
May increase theophylline concentrations and toxicity risk.
Medicines that can damage the liver
Combined use may increase hepatic risk and requires careful benefit–risk assessment.
QT-prolonging medicines
Antiarrhythmics, methadone, some antibiotics and antipsychotics may add to the risk of serious rhythm disturbance.
Common questions about flutamide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is flutamide chemotherapy?
No. It is a hormonal treatment called a non-steroidal antiandrogen, which blocks androgen effects rather than directly killing dividing cells.
Why are liver blood tests needed?
Flutamide can cause liver-enzyme abnormalities and, rarely, severe or fatal liver injury.
Can flutamide cause breathing problems?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.