Antiandrogens, Nonsteroidal (Systemic)

Proper Use of This Medicine

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor . Do not take more or less of it, and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered. The exact amount of medicine you need has been carefully worked out. Taking too much may increase the chance of side effects, while taking too little may not improve your condition.

It is best to take this medicine at the same time each day . If you have been directed to take the medicine once a day, you may take it either in the morning or in the evening.

Bicalutamide and nilutamide may be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

A nonsteroidal antiandrogen is often used together with another medicine, which is given by injection. It is very important that the two medicines be used as directed. Follow your doctor's instructions very carefully about when to use these medicines .

Unwanted effects, including hot flashes and decreased sexual ability, may occur during treatment for prostate cancer. Also, symptoms that often occur in men with prostate cancer, including difficult or painful urination, bloody urine, and urinary tract infections, may occur or continue to occur for a while, until your condition starts to improve. It is very important that you continue to take the medicine, even if it causes side effects or if you start to feel better . Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor .

If you vomit shortly after taking a dose of this medicine, check with your doctor. You will be told whether to take the dose again or to wait until the next scheduled dose.

Dosing - The doses of these medicines will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on which of these medicines you are taking .

For bicalutamide
• For the oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For prostate cancer:
    • Adults - 50 milligrams (mg) (one tablet) once a day.
    • Children - It is unlikely that bicalutamide would be needed to treat cancer of the prostate in a child. If a child needs this medicine, the dose would have to be determined by the doctor.

For flutamide
• For oral dosage forms (capsules or tablets):
  • For prostate cancer:
    • Adults - 250 milligrams (mg) (two 125-mg capsules or one 250-mg tablet) every eight hours.
    • Children - It is unlikely that flutamide would be needed to treat cancer of the prostate in a child. If a child needs this medicine, the dose would have to be determined by the doctor.

For nilutamide
• For the oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For prostate cancer:
    • Adults - 300 milligrams (mg) (six 50-mg tablets) once a day for the first thirty days, then 150 mg (three 50-mg tablets) once a day.
    • Children - It is unlikely that nilutamide would be needed to treat cancer of the prostate in a child. If a child needs this medicine, the dose would have to be determined by the doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible.

For bicalutamide or nilutamide: If you do not remember your missed dose until the next day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

For flutamide: If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.