Generic Name: FLUTAMIDE - ORAL
Pronounced: (FLEW-tuh-mide)

Flutamide Oral Precautions

Before taking flutamide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• liver problems
• a certain enzyme deficiency (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-G6PD)
• smoking
• hemoglobin M disease

This drug may rarely make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially drowsiness.

This medication is not usually used in women. Therefore, it is unlikely to be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid touching or accidentally taking this medication.

Flutamide Oral Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Because flutamide is usually used with other medications, the side effects may be caused by the other medications or their combination. Hot flashes, loss of sexual interest/ability, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and enlargement of male breasts may occur. Less common side effects include drowsiness. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Diarrhea is a common side effect. Drink plenty of fluids as directed by your doctor to reduce your risk of losing too much body water. You may decrease dairy products, increase whole grains/vegetables/fruit, and stop any laxatives. Your doctor may prescribe anti-diarrhea medication (such as loperamide) to control your symptoms. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop severe or persistent diarrhea or signs of dehydration (such as dizziness, decreased amount of urine).

Flutamide may change the color of your urine to light orange-brown or yellow-green. This is not harmful.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

• mental/mood changes (such as depression, anxiety, nervousness)
• a breast lump
• confusion
• sudden severe tiredness
• weakness
• pale skin
• bluish fingernails/lips/skin
• fast heartbeat at rest
• feeling short of breath at rest

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

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