A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that blocks androgen receptors in tissues The active substance prevents testosterone from binding and affecting cells. It is prescribed to influence cancer cells and metastases that increase their growth in testicles.
Release form, composition, and packaging
Flutamide is available in tablet form. The product is yellow in color and has a round configuration. The main active material is the compound flutamide. Auxiliary chemical components include silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, lactose monohydrate, and other compounds. The pills are placed in blisters of 10 pieces.
Pharmacologic Effect
The active component belongs to acetanilides. As a non-steroidal oral antiandrogen, it blocks the connection with male hormones, preventing them from binding to the nuclear intercellular substance in target tissues. The result is a decrease in adrenal activity. It’s characterized by its antitumor quality. Prevents the interaction of androgens with the receptors of their cellular organizations. The mechanism of influence is characterized by slowing down androgen uptake. The drug has the ability to resist the effects of testosterone. A pharmaceutical product is not characterized by estrogenic, antiestrogenic, or progestogenic effects on the body systems.
Flutamide is rapidly absorbed after oral administration. The maximum saturation of the active derivative of hydroxyflutamide occurs after 2 hours. The half-life is 6 hours. About 96% of the starting material and 94% of the derivative are bound to plasma proteins. During the first two days after administration, about half of the substance is removed along with urine and 2% with feces through the digestive tract.
Indications for Use and Contraindications
The medicine is prescribed in the case of the diagnosis of a primary or metastatic form of a malignant prostate tumor or together with luteinizing gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists. The drug is also prescribed when undergoing combined treatment for local prostate cancer to suppress the development of tumors and increase the interval between relapses. Doctors prescribe pharmaceutical products to people with surgical castrations when certain types of hormonal materials have not shown results.
The use of flutamide is not allowed in cases of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient and severe dysfunction of the hepatobiliary structure. Liver failure as well as a high probability of developing thrombosis and pathologies of the heart and blood vessels are the main reasons why the medication should not be used.
Special Instructions and Dosage
Therapeutic procedures are carried out by monitoring the functioning of liver enzymes in the serum of the blood substance. If the activity of liver enzymes has increased several times in comparison with the ULN or jaundice develops without metastases in the organ, the use of pharmaceutical products should be stopped immediately. The patient should be aware of the possible manifestations of painful symptoms while using the medication. If skin itching, gag reflexes, darkening of urine, changes in skin color, pain in the right hypochondrium, or other signs reminiscent of the development of the flu occur, a person should immediately consult a doctor. If the patient has not undergone surgical castration, the process of spermatogenesis is monitored during long-term therapeutic exposure to the substance. According to medical reviews, the use of the flutamide compound leads to an increase in the levels of estradiol and testosterone in the blood. Because of this, water may be retained in the systems. The drug is prescribed with care for the development of diseases of the heart and blood vessels and for people prone to swelling.
According to the instructions, driving vehicles and other complex technical equipment during therapy with the introduction of antiandrogenic materials are contraindicated. This is due to the development of collateral symptoms in the form of vertigo, increased drowsiness, visual perception disorders, and high fatigue.
The drug is taken orally at 250 mg three times every 24 hours. The procedure is carried out every 8 hours. The substance is used when a positive result is obtained before symptoms of cancer progression occur.
Side effects
A frequent incident occurring while taking flutamide is hardening of the mammary glands, which is accompanied by spontaneous secretion of lactose, regardless of the patient’s gender. It is reversible and disappears after discontinuation of the drug or dosage adjustment. Additionally, complications arise from:
- reproductive sphere: a reversible increase in the amount of sex hormones;
- immune structure (herpes zoster, lupus);
- Hematopoiesis and lymphatic system: swelling, hematomas, lymph stagnation;
- mental health: sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety;
- central nervous organization (cephalgia, vertigo);
- visual perception: blurriness of observed objects;
- respiratory organs: forced exhalation, difficulty breathing;
- digestive organs: diarrhea, nausea with vomiting, lack or increased appetite, increased stomach acidity, lack of fluid;
- liver: stimulation of enzymes, hepatitis, jaundice;
- dermatology: skin rashes, itching, baldness, sensitivity to light;
- metabolic reactions: increased blood sugar levels, exacerbation of diabetic syndrome;
- musculoskeletal group: inflammation and pain in muscles and joints; numbness of the skin on the upper extremities; cramps.
With combined treatment, hematopoiesis causes anemia, leukemia, and a drop in platelet levels. The development of thromboembolism cannot be excluded.
Overdose
The portion of the drug that can cause signs of overdose has not been determined. The active component is part of the group of anilides, which can provoke the development of a phenomenon when ferric iron is formed in the structure of hemoglobin. With severe intoxication, the appearance of a bluish color on the skin is likely. Theoretically, treatment is to immediately induce vomiting if it does not occur spontaneously. The dialysis procedure is not effective. The drug is indicated for use only by male patients. Prescribing the medicine to children and adolescents is prohibited.
Drug interactions
In patients receiving warfarin for a long time, an increase in prothrombin time is observed after the initiation of flutamide monotherapy. It is recommended to constantly monitor this indicator and, if necessary, adjust the dose of the anticoagulant. The active component is capable of inhibiting the metabolism of glucocorticosteroids and increasing the concentration of 1,3-dimethylxanthine. The combination of flutamide with substances toxic to hepatocytes is not allowed. No changes in pharmacological parameters were observed when combined with leuprolide. As a result of the administration of oral anticoagulants, an increase in prothrombin time is observed.
Disclaimer
The information offered here serves an educational purpose and is by no means a stand-in for the specialized guidance only a healthcare professional can provide. Should you find yourself with questions concerning a medical condition, it is crucial to reach out to your physician or an appropriately certified healthcare giver. Moreover, any reference to specific medications or treatments within this material does not constitute an official endorsement.