Details

Nilutamide is an antiandrogen. It works in the body to prevent the actions of androgens (male hormones). Nilutamide is used to treat prostate cancer in men who have undergone surgical castration. You should not use nilutamide if you have severe liver disease or severe breathing problems. Nilutamide can cause serious lung problems. To make sure nilutamide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or asthma or another lung disease. Nilutamide is not for use by women.

Typical Uses

Nilutamide is used to treat men with prostate cancer, and is used after surgery (removal of the testicles) or with other medications. Nilutamide belongs to a class of drugs known as anti-androgens (anti-testosterone). Testosterone, a natural hormone, helps prostate cancer to grow and spread. Nilutamide works by blocking the effects of testosterone, thereby slowing the growth and spread of prostate cancer.

Side Effects

Common nilutamide side effects may include chest pain, wheezing, dry cough, fever new or worsening shortness of breath flu symptoms, pale skin, feeling tired or liver problems-nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Drug Interactions

• Nilutamide+leflunomide- Leflunomide may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as nilutamide may increase that risk. Because leflunomide can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it.
• Nilutamide+lomitapide- Lomitapide may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as nilutamide may increase that risk. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol to no more than one drink per day while being treated with these medications.
• Nilutamide+mipomersen- Mipomersen may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as nilutamide may increase that risk. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol to no more than one drink per day while being treated with these medications.
• Nilutamide+teriflunomide- Teriflunomide may cause liver problems, and using it with other medications that can also affect the liver such as nilutamide may increase that risk. Because teriflunomide can stay in your blood for a prolonged period after the last dose, interactions with other drugs may occur for some time even after you have stopped taking it.

Mechanism of action

Nilutamide competes with androgen for the binding of androgen receptors, consequently blocking the action of androgens of adrenal and testicular origin that stimulate the growth of normal and malignant prostatic tissue. This blockade of androgen receptors may result in growth arrest or transient tumour regression through inhibition of androgen-dependent DNA and protein synthesis.

Pregnancy Category : C