Flutamide - an anti-androgen for men

About flutamide

Flutamide belongs to a group of medicines known as anti-androgens. This means that it blocks the actions of male sex hormones called androgens. It also reduces the amount of male hormones (such as testosterone) that your body produces.

In cancro alla prostata, the cancer cells need the male hormone testosterone to grow and multiply well. Hormone treatments like flutamide block the effect of testosterone on prostate cancer cells. This slows down the growth of the cancer. Flutamide also helps to reduce symptom 'flares' and side-effects from other treatments which may be used for the cancer, or following surgery.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking flutamide it is important that your doctor knows:

• Se hai problemi con il funzionamento del tuo fegato.

• If you have a heart condition.

• Se hai un raro disturbo ereditario del sangue chiamato porfiria.

• If you are taking any other medicines. This includes any medicines which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about flutamide and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take the tablets exactly as your doctor tells you to. Your dose will be printed on the label of the pack of tablets to remind you about what the doctor said to you. It is usual to take one tablet three times a day.

• You can take flutamide tablets either with or without food. Taking the tablet with a drink of water will help you to swallow it.

• Try to take the tablets at the same times of day each day. This will help you to remember to take your doses regularly.

• Se dimentichi di prendere una dose, prendila appena te ne ricordi (a meno che non sia quasi ora della dose successiva, in tal caso salta la dose dimenticata). Non prendere due dosi insieme per compensare una dose dimenticata.

• Please keep your regular appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be monitored. Your doctor will want you to have some blood tests from time to time to check that your liver is staying healthy.

• Your doctor will recommend that you do not drink much alcohol while you are on flutamide.

• Treatment with flutamide is often long-term. You should continue to take the tablets regularly unless you are told otherwise by your doctor.
  

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with flutamide. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti alle compresse, ti preghiamo di consultare il tuo medico o farmacista per ulteriori consigli.

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.