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Important: This site presents data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). A report does not mean the drug caused the event. Full disclaimer.

FLUTAMIDE: 269 Adverse Event Reports & Safety Profile

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269
Total FAERS Reports
28 (10.4%)
Deaths Reported
54
Hospitalizations
269
As Primary/Secondary Suspect
6
Life-Threatening
2
Disabilities
Jan 27, 1989
FDA Approved
Waylis Therapeutics LLC
Manufacturer
Discontinued
Status
Yes
Generic Available

Drug Class: Androgen Receptor Antagonists [MoA] · Route: ORAL · Manufacturer: Waylis Therapeutics LLC · FDA Application: 018554 · HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · FDA Label: Available

First Report: 19970217 · Latest Report: 20250101

What Are the Most Common FLUTAMIDE Side Effects?

#1 Most Reported
Dementia alzheimer's type
96 reports (35.7%)
#2 Most Reported
Prostatic specific antigen increased
23 reports (8.6%)
#3 Most Reported
Anaemia
21 reports (7.8%)

All FLUTAMIDE Side Effects by Frequency

Side Effect Reports % of Total Deaths Hosp.
Dementia alzheimer's type 96 35.7% 0 0
Prostatic specific antigen increased 23 8.6% 1 9
Anaemia 21 7.8% 6 9
Decreased appetite 17 6.3% 0 4
Prostate cancer 14 5.2% 0 8
Asthenia 13 4.8% 0 0
Product use in unapproved indication 13 4.8% 0 0
Cough 12 4.5% 0 0
Drug ineffective 12 4.5% 2 0
Death 11 4.1% 11 1
Haematuria 11 4.1% 0 10
Pain in extremity 11 4.1% 0 1
Cardiac disorder 10 3.7% 0 0
Lacrimation increased 10 3.7% 0 0
Off label use 10 3.7% 0 1
Taste disorder 10 3.7% 0 0
Back pain 9 3.4% 0 3
Cardiac failure 9 3.4% 7 2
Rash 9 3.4% 1 1
Urinary retention 9 3.4% 0 9

Who Reports FLUTAMIDE Side Effects? Age & Gender Data

Gender: 9.5% female, 90.5% male. Average age: 66.9 years. Most reports from: TW. View detailed demographics →

Is FLUTAMIDE Getting Safer? Reports by Year

YearReportsDeathsHosp.
2007 1 0 0
2011 2 0 1
2012 1 0 0
2013 7 2 4
2014 6 0 2
2015 6 1 3
2016 14 1 2
2017 15 2 7
2018 3 1 1
2019 11 0 1
2020 4 0 3
2021 6 1 2
2022 10 0 8
2025 1 0 0

View full timeline →

What Is FLUTAMIDE Used For?

IndicationReports
Prostate cancer 169
Product used for unknown indication 31
Hormone-refractory prostate cancer 12
Prostate cancer metastatic 11
Alopecia 7
Hormone therapy 6

FLUTAMIDE vs Alternatives: Which Is Safer?

FLUTAMIDE vs FLUTEMETAMOL F-18 FLUTAMIDE vs FLUTICASONE FLUTAMIDE vs FLUTICASONE FUROATE FLUTAMIDE vs FLUTICASONE FUROATE\SALMETEROL FLUTAMIDE vs FLUTICASONE FUROATE\UMECLIDINIUM\VILANTEROL TRIFENATATE FLUTAMIDE vs FLUTICASONE FUROATE\VILANTEROL TRIFENATATE FLUTAMIDE vs FLUTICASONE\FLUTICASONE FLUTAMIDE vs FLUTICASONE\FORMOTEROL FLUTAMIDE vs FLUTICASONE\SALMETEROL FLUTAMIDE vs FLUVASTATIN

Other Drugs in Same Class: Androgen Receptor Antagonists [MoA]

Official FDA Label for FLUTAMIDE

Official prescribing information from the FDA-approved drug label.

Drug Description

DESCRIPTION Eulexin ® capsules contain flutamide, an acetanilid, nonsteroidal, orally active antiandrogen having the chemical name, α,α,α-trifluoro-2-methyl-4'-nitro- m -propionotoluidide. Each capsule contains 125 mg flutamide. The compound is a buff to yellow powder with a molecular weight of 276.22 and the following structural formula: C 11 H 11 F 3 N 2 O 3 In addition, each capsule contains the following inactive ingredients: corn starch, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, povidone, and sodium lauryl sulfate. Gelatin capsule shells may contain gelatin, silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide, FDA/E172 Red Iron Oxide, FDA/E172 Yellow Iron Oxide, and black ink containing pharmaceutical glaze (modified) in SD-45, synthetic black iron oxide, N-butyl alcohol, SDA-3A alcohol, FD&C Blue No.2 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Red No.40 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No.1 Aluminum Lake, and D&C Yellow No.10 Aluminum Lake.

Chemical

Structure

FDA Approved Uses (Indications)

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Eulexin ® capsules are indicated for use in combination with LHRH-agonists for the management of locally confined Stage B 2 -C and Stage D 2 metastatic carcinoma of the prostate. Stage B 2 -C Prostatic Carcinoma Treatment with Eulexin ® capsules and the goserelin acetate implant should start eight weeks prior to initiating radiation therapy and continue during radiation therapy. Stage D 2 Metastatic Carcinoma To achieve benefit from treatment, Eulexin ® capsules should be initiated with the LHRH-agonist and continued until progression.

Dosage & Administration

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION The recommended dosage is 2 capsules 3 times a day at 8 hour intervals for a total daily dose of 750 mg.

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS Eulexin ® capsules are contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to Eulexin ® or any component of this preparation. Eulexin ® capsules are contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (baseline hepatic enzymes should be evaluated prior to treatment).

Known Adverse Reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS Stage B 2 -C Prostatic Carcinoma Treatment with Eulexin ® capsules and the goserelin acetate implant did not add substantially to the toxicity of radiation treatment alone. The following adverse experiences were reported during a multicenter clinical trial comparing Eulexin ® + goserelin acetate implant + radiation versus radiation alone. The most frequently reported (greater than 5%) adverse experiences are listed below: Adverse Events During Acute Radiation Therapy (within first 90 days of radiation therapy) (n=231)

Goserelin Acetate

Implant + Eulexin ® + Radiation (n=235)

Radiation

Only % All % All Rectum/Large Bowel 80 76 Bladder 58 60 Skin 37 37 Adverse Events During Late Radiation Phase (after 90 days of radiation therapy) (n=231)

Goserelin Acetate

Implant + Eulexin ® + Radiation (n=235)

Radiation

Only % All % All Diarrhea 36 40 Cystitis 16 16 Rectal Bleeding 14 20 Proctitis 8 8 Hematuria 7 12 Additional adverse event data were collected for the combination therapy with radiation group over both the hormonal treatment and hormonal treatment plus radiation phases of the study. Adverse experiences occurring in more than 5% of patients in this group, over both parts of the study, were hot flashes (46%), diarrhea (40%), nausea (9%), and skin rash (8%). Stage D 2 Metastatic Carcinoma The following adverse experiences were reported during a multicenter clinical trial comparing Eulexin ® + LHRH agonist versus placebo + LHRH agonist. The most frequently reported (greater than 5%) adverse experiences during treatment with Eulexin ® capsules in combination with an LHRH agonist are listed in the table below. For comparison, adverse experiences seen with an LHRH agonist and placebo are also listed in the following table. (n=294) Eulexin ® + LHRH agonist (n=28) Placebo + LHRH agonist % All % All Hot Flashes 61 57 Loss of Libido 36 31 Impotence 33 29 Diarrhea 12 4 Nausea/Vomiting 11 10 Gynecomastia 9 11 Other 7 9 Other GI 6 4 As shown in the table, for both treatment groups, the most frequently occurring adverse experiences (hot flashes, impotence, loss of libido) were those known to be associated with low serum androgen levels and known to occur with LHRH agonists alone. The only notable difference was the higher incidence of diarrhea in the Eulexin ® + LHRH agonist group (12%), which was severe in 5% as opposed to the placebo + LHRH agonist (4%), which was severe in less than 1%. In addition, the following adverse reactions were reported during treatment with Eulexin ® + LHRH agonist.

Cardiovascular

System: hypertension in 1% of patients.

Central Nervous

System : CNS (drowsiness/confusion/depression/anxiety/nervousness) reactions occurred in 1% of patients.

Gastrointestinal

System : anorexia 4%, and other GI disorders occurred in 6% of patients.

Hematopoietic

System : anemia occurred in 6%, leukopenia in 3%, and thrombocytopenia in 1% of patients. Liver and Biliary System : hepatitis and jaundice in less than 1% of patients. Skin : irritation at the injection site and rash occurred in 3% of patients. Other: edema occurred in 4%, genitourinary and neuromuscular symptoms in 2%, and pulmonary symptoms in less than 1% of patients. In addition, the following spontaneous adverse experiences have been reported during the marketing of Eulexin ® : hemolytic anemia,macrocytic anemia,methemoglobinemia, sulfhemoglobinemia, photosensitivity reactions (including erythema, ulceration, bullous eruptions, and epidermal necrolysis) and urine discoloration. The urine was noted to change to an amber or yellow-green appearance which can be attributed to the Eulexin ® and/or its metabolites. Also reported were cholestatic jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy, and hepatic necrosis. The hepatic conditions were often reversible after discontinuing therapy; however, there have been reports of death following severe hepatic injury associated with use of Eulexin ® . Malignant breast neoplasms have occurred rarely in male patients being treated with Eulexin ® capsules.

Abnormal Laboratory Test

Values : Laboratory abnormalities including elevated SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin values, SGGT, BUN, and serum creatinine have been reported.

FDA Boxed Warning

BLACK BOX WARNING

WARNINGS Hepatic Injury There have been postmarketing reports of hospitalization and rarely death due to liver failure in patients taking Eulexin ® . Evidence of hepatic injury included elevated serum transaminase levels, jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy and death related to acute hepatic failure. The hepatic injury was reversible after discontinuation of therapy in some patients. Approximately half of the reported cases occurred within the initial 3 months of treatment with Eulexin ® . Serum transaminase levels should be measured prior to starting treatment with Eulexin ® . Eulexin ® is not recommended in patients whose ALT values exceed twice the upper limit of normal. Serum transaminase levels should then be measured monthly for the first 4 months of therapy, and periodically thereafter. Liver function tests also should be obtained at the first signs and symptoms suggestive of liver dysfunction, e.g., nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, "flu-like" symptoms, hyperbilirubinuria, jaundice or right upper quadrant tenderness. If at any time, a patient has jaundice, or their ALT rises above 2 times the upper limit of normal, Eulexin ® should be immediately discontinued with close follow-up of liver function tests until resolution.

Warnings

WARNINGS Hepatic Injury SEE BOXED WARNINGS Use in Women Eulexin ® capsules are for use only in men. This product has no indication for women and should not be used in this population, particularly for nonserious or nonlife-threatening conditions. Fetal toxicity Eulexin ® may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman (see Pregnancy ). Aniline toxicity One metabolite of Eulexin ® is 4-nitro-3-fluoro-methylaniline. Several toxicities consistent with aniline exposure, including methemoglobinemia, hemolytic anemia and cholestatic jaundice have been observed in both animals and humans after Eulexin ® administration. In patients susceptible to aniline toxicity (e.g. persons with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, hemoglobin M disease and smokers), monitoring of methemoglobin levels should be considered.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS General In clinical trials, gynecomastia occurred in 9% of patients receiving Eulexin ® together with medical castration. Information for Patients Patients should be informed that Eulexin ® capsules and the drug used for medical castration should be administered concomitantly, and that they should not interrupt their dosing or stop taking these medications without consulting their physician.

Laboratory Tests

Regular assessment of serum Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) may be helpful in monitoring the patient's response. If PSA levels rise significantly and consistently during Eulexin ® therapy the patient should be evaluated for clinical progression. For patients who have objective progression of disease together with an elevated PSA, a treatment period free of antiandrogen while continuing the LHRH analogue may be considered.

Drug Interactions

Increases in prothrombin time have been noted in patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy after Eulexin ® was initiated. Therefore close monitoring of prothrombin time is recommended and adjustment of the anticoagulant dose may be necessary when Eulexin ® capsules are administered concomitantly with warfarin. Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis and Impairment of Fertility In a 1 year dietary study in male rats, interstitial cell adenomas of the testes were present in 49% to 75% of all treated rats (daily doses of 10, 30, and 50 mg/kg/day were administered). These produced plasma C max values that are 1, 2, 3, and 4 fold respectively, those associated with therapeutic doses in humans. In male rats similarly dosed for 1 year, tumors were still present after 1 year of a drug-free period, but the incidences were 43% to 47%. In a 2 year carcinogenicity study in male rats, daily administration of Eulexin ® at t hese same doses produced testicular interstitial cell adenomas in 91% to 95% of all treated rats as opposed to 11% of untreated control rats. Mammary adenomas, adenocarcinomas, and fibroadenomas were increased in treated male rats at exposure levels that were 1 to 4 fold those observed during therapeutic dosing in humans. There are likewise reports of malignant breast neoplasms in men treated with Eulexin ® capsules (see ADVERSE REACTIONS section). Eulexin ® did not demonstrate DNA modifying activity in the Ames Salmonella/microsome Mutagenesis Assay. Dominant lethal tests in rats were negative. Reduced sperm counts were observed during a 6 week study of Eulexin ® monotherapy in normal human volunteers. Eulexin ® did not affect estrous cycles or interfere with the mating behavior of male and female rats when the drug was administered at 25 and 75 mg/kg/day prior to mating. Males treated with 150 mg/kg/day (30 times the minimum effective antiandrogenic dose) failed to mate; mating behavior returned to normal after dosing was stopped. Conception rates were decreased in all dosing groups. Suppression of spermatogenesis was observed in rats dosed for 52 weeks at approximately 3, 8, or 17 times the human dose and in dogs dosed for 78 weeks at 1.4, 2.3, and 3.7 times the human dose.

Animal Toxicology

Serious cardiac lesions were observed in 2/10 beagle dogs receiving 25 mg/kg/day for 78 weeks and 3/16 receiving 40 mg/kg/day for 2 to 4 years. These lesions, indicative of chronic injury and repair processes, included chronic myxomatous degeneration, intra-atrial fibrosis, myocardial acidophilic degeneration, vasculitis and perivasculitis. The doses at which these lesions occurred were associated with 2-hydroxyflutamide levels that were 1 to 12 fold greater than those observed in humans at therapeutic levels.

Pregnancy Pregnancy

Category D There was decreased 24 hour survival in the offspring of pregnant rats treated with Eulexin ® at doses of 30, 100 or 200 mg/kg/day (approximately 3, 9 and 19 times the human dose). A slight increase in minor variations in the development of the sternebrae and vertebrae was seen in fetuses of rats treated with two higher doses. Feminization of the male rats also occurred at the two higher dose levels. There was a decreased survival rate in the offspring of rabbits receiving the highest dose (15 mg/kg/day, equal to 1.4 times the human dose).

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions Increases in prothrombin time have been noted in patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy after Eulexin ® was initiated. Therefore close monitoring of prothrombin time is recommended and adjustment of the anticoagulant dose may be necessary when Eulexin ® capsules are administered concomitantly with warfarin.