Nilutamide

It is an antiandrogen medication used in the treatment of advanced stage prostate cancer. Nilutamide blocks the androgen receptor, preventing its interaction with testosterone.

Indications

Nilutamide is indicated in the treatment of metastatic prostatic carcinoma (stage D2) in conjunction with surgical castration.

Dosage

Oral; 300mg once a day followed by 150mg daily.

Contra-Indications

Hypersensitivity, hepatic impairment, respiratory diseases.

Special Precautions

contraindicated in women and children. Paediatrics: safety not determined. Pregnancy: Category C; use if risk to fetus outweighs benefits. Lactation: Safety not yet established. Elderly: Can be used with precaution.

Side Effects

Hot flashes, sweating, dizziness, loss of sexual interest/ability, vision changes (such as difficulty seeing when moving into the dark or light, changes in color vision), stomach pain, interstitial pneumonitis, constipation, nausea, signs of alcohol intolerance (such as flushing, tiredness) dry skin, increased sensitivity to touch/pain, and loss of body hair.

Drug Interactions

It inhibits cyt-p450 activity so use with caution along with drugs depending on its metabolism. Vitamin K antagonists, phenytoin and theophylline.