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Important information for patients taking flutamide capsules
Read this information carefully each time your prescription is refilled because there may be new information available. This summary does not tell you everything you need to know about flutamide therapy. Your doctor is the best source of information about your treatment. Ask your doctor about questions you have.
What is flutamide therapy?
Flutamide, in combination with other therapies, is a treatment option for men with some types of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer results from the abnormal growth of prostate cells. Medical scientists do not know exactly what causes the abnormal cells, but age, environment and genetics are important factors. Male hormones ("androgens") cause the cancer to grow. The cancer growth can be slowed down by blocking the effect of androgens.
The flutamide product is used together with an injection called "LHRH agonist," as a combined treatment called "total androgen blockade." The goal of this treatment is to reduce androgen levels and to block the effect of androgen on the tumor. The LHRH agonist reduces androgen levels. Flutamide therapy blocks the effect of androgen on the tumor.
Who should not take the flutamide product?
You should not take flutamide if you have liver problems or if you are allergic to it. Flutamide is for use only in men; therefore women should not take flutamide.
Are there important risks I should know about flutamide therapy?
Some men taking the flutamide product had liver injury and needed to be hospitalized. In rare cases, men died because of liver failure while they were taking flutamide. In about half of these cases, the liver failure occurred in the first 3 months that they were taking flutamide.
Because the flutamide product may cause liver failure, it is very important that you have all blood tests recommended by your doctor. These tests help identify whether you are having liver problems. A recommended schedule for these blood tests is:
- before starting flutamide treatment
- every month for the first 4 months of therapy
- periodically after the first 4 months
In addition, you should call your doctor right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms:
- loss of appetite
- nausea and vomiting
- stomach or abdominal pain
- fatigue (feeling extremely tired)
- flu-like symptoms (muscle aches, soreness)
- brown urine
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)
- drink plenty of fluids
- reduce your intake of dairy products (for example, milk, cheese, yogurt)
- increase your intake of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
- stop laxative use
- take non-prescription anti-diarrheal medicines
If your diarrhea continues or it becomes severe, contact your doctor right away.
Are there any other lab tests my doctor will be performing?
Your doctor may perform other regular tests (such as the PSA blood test) to ensure that your body is responding to treatment. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about how your flutamide therapy is being monitored.
Where can I get further support?
Please ask your doctor about any questions concerning prostate cancer or flutamide therapy, or you can also ask for a more detailed leaflet that is written for healthcare professionals.
Manufactured by:
CIPLA Verna.
Goa, India
Manufactured for:
Cipla USA, Inc.
1560 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway.
Suite 130 Miami, FL 33323
Issued: 05/2017