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Compare Flutamide vs. Nilutamide

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Flutamide (Eulexin) and Nilutamide (Nilandron) are both androgen receptor inhibitors used to treat metastatic prostate cancer. Flutamide is taken three times a day, while Nilutamide is taken once a day, making Nilutamide more convenient. Flutamide must be used with another hormonal medication that targets LHRH, whereas Nilutamide is often used with surgical or medical castration. Both medications can cause hot flashes and liver problems, but Nilutamide can also cause difficulty with night vision and serious lung issues. Flutamide can also cause diarrhea and has interactions with warfarin. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics.

  • Flutamide (Eulexin)
    Nilutamide (Nilandron)
  • Flutamide (Eulexin)
    Nilutamide (Nilandron)

  • Summary of Flutamide vs. Nilutamide

    Summary for Androgen receptor inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Flutamide (Eulexin) is used to treat metastatic prostate cancer, meaning cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It’s a form of hormonal therapy called an androgen receptor inhibitor or antiandrogen, that works to block testosterone in your body. Flutamide (Eulexin) is one of the recommended options for prostate cancer and is taken by mouth three times a day. It can cause hot flashes and lower your sex drive, which can be bothersome.

    Summary for Androgen receptor inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Nilutamide (Nilandron) is taken by mouth and used to treat metastatic prostate cancer, meaning cancer that has spread to other parts of the body. It’s a form of hormonal therapy called an androgen receptor inhibitor or antiandrogen, that works to block testosterone in your body. Nilutamide (Nilandron) is one of the recommended options for prostate cancer and is taken once a day. It can cause hot flashes and make it difficult for your eyes to adjust at night, which can be bothersome.

  • Indications of Flutamide vs. Nilutamide

    Indications for
    •Metastatic prostate cancer
    Indications for
    •Metastatic prostate cancer

  • Pros and Cons of Flutamide vs. Nilutamide

    Pros and Const for Androgen receptor inhibitor
    Pros
    •Taken orally, so it’s not a medication you have to inject
    •One of the recommended options for metastatic prostate cancer
    •Usually only needs to be taken for a few weeks after starting a LHRH agonist
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Taken 3 times a day
    •Can cause hot flashes, which can be unpleasant
    •Can cause liver problems
    •Can raise your risk for bleeds if you're taking a blood thinner called warfarin (Coumadin)
    Pros and Const for Androgen receptor inhibitor
    Pros
    •Oral pill
    •Taken once daily
    •One of the recommended options for metastatic prostate cancer
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Can cause hot flashes, which can be unpleasant
    •Your eyes might start having problems adjusting to light
    •Can cause liver or breathing problems

  • Common Side Effects of Flutamide vs. Nilutamide

    Common Side Effects for

    Please note: These side effects were experienced by people taking flutamide (Eulexin) with a LHRH agonist, and might not be caused by flutamide (Eulexin) alone.

    •Hot flashes (61%)
    •Loss of sex drive (36%)
    •Erectile dysfunction (33%)
    •Diarrhea (12%)
    •Nausea and vomiting (11%)
    •Development of breasts (9%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Side effects experienced by people who took nilutamide (Nilandron) after surgical castration:

    •Hot flashes (28%)
    •Difficulty of eyes adjusting to dark (13%)
    •Nausea (10%)
    •Pain or burning while urinating, needing to urinate more often, and other symptoms of a urinary tract infection (8%)

    Side effects experienced by people who took nilutamide (Nilandron) with leuprolide (a LHRH agonist):

    •Hot flashes (67%)
    •Difficulty of eyes adjusting to dark (57%)
    •Nausea (24%)
    •Constipation (20%)
    •Weakness (20%)
    •Shrinking of testicles (16%)
    •Trouble sleeping (16%)
    •Headache (14%)

  • Warnings of Flutamide vs. Nilutamide

    Common Side Effects for
    •Severe liver damage
    •Bleeding with warfarin (Coumadin)
    •Possibly toxicity
    Common Side Effects for
    •Rare, serious lung condition
    •Liver injury

  • Prices with our coupons for Flutamide vs. Nilutamide

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