Nilutamide

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (nye loo' ta mide)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Nilutamide is used after surgery to treat prostate cancer. Nilutamide is in a class of medications called antiandrogens. It works by blocking the effect of androgen (a male hormone), to stop the growth and spread of cancer cells.


How should this medicine be used?

Nilutamide comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once daily. Take nilutamide at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take nilutamide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

You should begin taking nilutamide the day of or the day after your surgery. After about 30 days of treatment, your doctor will probably decrease your dose. The length of treatment depends on how well your body responds to nilutamide. Continue to take nilutamide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking nilutamide without talking to your doctor.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking nilutamide,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nilutamide, bicalutamide, flutamide, or any other medications.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), phenytoin (Dilantin), and theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Phyllin, others). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or lung disease.
  • you should know that nilutamide is only for use in men. Women should not take nilutamide, especially if they are pregnant or could become pregnant or are breast-feeding. If a pregnant woman takes nilutamide, she should call her doctor.
  • ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking nilutamide. Alcohol can make the side effects from nilutamide worse.
  • you should know that you may have trouble seeing for a few seconds to a few minutes when you move from a lighted area to a dark area. You should be careful driving at night or through tunnels. Wearing tinted glasses may help your eyes adjust to changes in light while you are taking nilutamide.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Nilutamide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • constipation
  • dizziness
  • hot flashes
  • visual changes
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • stomach pain
  • pain in the upper right part of the stomach
  • extreme tiredness
  • loss of appetite
  • flu-like symptoms
  • dark urine

Nilutamide may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Androgen Antagonists
  • Antineoplastic and Immunomodulating Agents
  • Endocrine Therapy
  • Hormone Antagonists and Related Agents
  • Anti-Androgens
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19 Inducers
  • Anti-androgens
Prescribed For use in combination with surgical castration for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer involving distant lymph nodes, bone, or visceral or...
Weight :317.2207
Structure Nilutamide
Generic Drug Nilutamide prescribed For use in combination with surgical castration for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer involving distant lymph nodes, bone, or visceral or...
Formula

C12H10F3N3O4

Nilutamide has 2 Brands listed


Niltamide (150 mg)Nitamide (150 mg)

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