flutamide

Generic Eulexin

Used for Prostate Cancer

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.

Reviewed by:

Lauren Morton, PharmD, BCPS

Connie Zheng, PharmD

Last reviewed on July 19, 2022

What is Flutamide (Eulexin)?

What is Flutamide (Eulexin) used for?

Metastatic prostate cancer

How Flutamide (Eulexin) works

Most prostate cancer cells need testosterone to grow and spread. Testosterone is a type of male sex hormone called an androgen.

Flutamide (Eulexin) is an androgen receptor inhibitor (antiandrogen), a type of hormone therapy that works by blocking testosterone from binding to prostate cancer cells. Without testosterone, cancer cells won’t have the “fuel” they need to spread.

Are you looking for information on bicalutamide (Casodex), nilutamide (Nilandron), or Xtandi (enzalutamide) instead?

Drug facts

Common Brands	Eulexin
Drug Class	Androgen receptor inhibitor
Controlled Substance Classification	Not a controlled medication
Generic Status	Lower-cost generic available
Availability	Prescription only

Common Brands

Eulexin

Drug Class

Androgen receptor inhibitor

Controlled Substance Classification

Not a controlled medication

Generic Status

Lower-cost generic available

Availability

Prescription only

Side effects of Flutamide (Eulexin)

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

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%)

Less Common Side Effects

Higher blood pressure
Drowsiness
Confusion
Depression
Anxiety or nervousness
Loss of appetite
Swelling of body tissues (i.e., edema)

Flutamide (Eulexin) serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

Serious liver problems: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, right upper stomach pain

Source: DailyMed

The following Flutamide (Eulexin) side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Black, tarry stools

bloody or cloudy urine

continuing diarrhea

continuing stomach pain

difficult, burning, or painful urination

frequent urge to urinate

pale skin

troubled breathing with exertion

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Blurred vision

chest pain

chills

cough

difficulty with breathing

dizziness

drowsiness

fever

headache

nervousness

pounding in the ears

shortness of breath

slow or fast heartbeat

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

swelling

swollen glands

Rare

Abdominal or stomach pain

clay-colored stools

dark urine

general tiredness and weakness

itching

light-colored stools

loss of appetite

nausea and vomiting

rash

tumor

unpleasant breath odor

upper right abdominal pain

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes and skin

Incidence not known

Back, leg, or stomach pains

bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms

discoloration of the urine

dizziness or lightheadedness

flushing or redness of the skin

general body swelling

headache

itching

joint or muscle pain

nosebleeds

rapid heart rate

red irritated eyes

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

unusually warm skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Goosebumps

shakiness and unsteady walk

tearing of the eyes

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

weight loss

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Decreased interest in sexual intercourse

diarrhea

feeling of warmth

inability to have or keep an erection

indigestion

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

passing of gas

redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest

stomach pain, fullness, or discomfort

sudden sweating

swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males

Less common

Depression

drowsiness

fear or nervousness

mood or mental changes

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Avg retail price

$70.89(Save 55.21%)

$31.75

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Pros and cons of Flutamide (Eulexin)

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)

Pharmacist tips for Flutamide (Eulexin)

It’s important to remember to take your dose of flutamide (Eulexin) each day so you don’t miss a dose. If you miss a dose, take your next dose like normal. Don’t try to double up on your medication to make up for missed doses.
Flutamide (Eulexin) can be taken with or without food. It doesn’t matter what time of the day you take it, as long as you take it around the same time each day.
Let your provider know if you notice any symptoms of liver problems. These can include yellowing of your skin or eyes, upper right stomach pain, dark urine, tiredness, or loss of appetite. Your provider might tell you to stop taking flutamide (Eulexin) while your provider determines what is causing the problems.
Taking flutamide (Eulexin) can cause you to have diarrhea. If this happens, drink plenty of fluids and eat less dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt). You can also take over-the-counter medications, like loperamide (Imodium A-D) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol), to help stop the diarrhea.
Let your provider know if you’re taking a blood thinner called warfarin (Coumadin). Taking this medication with flutamide (Eulexin) can raise your risk for bleeding, which can be very serious. You might have to get your labs checked more often to make sure your warfarin (Coumadin) dose is right for you.
You should be taking flutamide (Eulexin) at the same time as a LHRH agonist. Flutamide (Eulexin) isn’t meant to be taken by itself to treat prostate cancer, so check with your provider if you don't have a prescription for a LHRH agonist. Don’t stop taking these medications without talking to your healthcare provider first.
Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist about the best way to handle and dispose of this anticancer medication. These medications can be very harmful to people who handle or come into contact with them, so you need to get rid of them safely.

Common questions about Flutamide

You need to take Flutamide with another medication that targets LHRH (a LHRH agonist), such as Lupron Depot (leuprolide) or Zoladex (goserelin), because Flutamide is used to ease side effects caused by the LHRH agonist. LHRH agonists work by stopping the testicles from making testosterone that prostate cancer cells need to grow. One downside of LHRH agonists is that they can cause a testosterone flare, usually during the first 1 to 3 weeks after you start therapy. This is when testosterone levels temporarily go up before they eventually go down. This can lead to unwanted side effects, including bone pain and problems urinating. Flutamide helps to lower the symptoms of testosterone flare by blocking testosterone from affecting the cancer cells.

You should take Flutamide as long as instructed by your provider. Flutamide can help lower the testosterone flare side effects you might experience from LHRH agonists. You typically take it for a few weeks after starting a LHRH agonist, but sometimes your provider might ask you to take it longer.

Flutamide can cause rare, but serious liver damage. If you have liver problems, your body might have a difficult time breaking down Flutamide. Let your provider know if you have problems with your liver because you might be monitored more closely for liver health and side effects. Stop this medication and get medical help right away if you experience liver-related side effects, including nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, tiredness, and yellowing of the skin.

Hot flashes are a very common side effect of Flutamide. Let your provider know if you experience hot flashes while taking Flutamide and they can suggest ways to help you manage this side effect both with and without medications. Medications that can ease your hot flashes include estrogens, progestin, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. But these medications can cause additional side effects that you might find bothersome, including nausea, tiredness, or dizziness. If you want to avoid medications, you can try relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, behavioral therapy, and hypnosis, to cope with hot flashes. You can also try wearing loose-fitting clothing or using fans to keep you cool.

No, Flutamide isn't better than other antiandrogen medications used to treat prostate cancer, including bicalutamide (Casodex) or (nilutamide) Nilandron. There isn’t one antiandrogen that's considered better than another. Different antiandrogens have different dosing and slightly different side effects. Your provider will help you choose one depending on how well your body handles the side effects, other medical conditions you might have, and your preference. In some cases, your provider might have you try a different antiandrogen if the medication you started with no longer works well to treat your cancer. Talk with your provider if you have any questions about the benefits and risks for any of the treatment options.

Risks and warnings for Flutamide (Eulexin)

Flutamide (Eulexin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Severe liver damage

Black Box Warning Though rare, it’s possible that flutamide (Eulexin) can cause you to develop serious, and potentially life-threatening, liver problems. Typically, this happens within the first 3 months after you begin the medication. To check your liver health, your provider might ask you to do blood tests before your start flutamide (Eulexin) and monthly for at least the first 4 months. If you do develop liver problems, you might have to stop taking flutamide (Eulexin). Let your provider know right away if you experience symptoms of liver damage, such as tiredness, having no appetite, nausea or vomiting, dark urine, right-side stomach pain, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Bleeding with warfarin (Coumadin)

Risk factors: Taking warfarin (Coumadin)

Flutamide (Eulexin) can raise your risk for bleeds if you’re also taking the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin).This can happen even if you were previously stable on your dose of warfarin (Coumadin). Bleeds can happen days to weeks after starting flutamide (Eulexin). You might need to have your blood work (INR test) checked more regularly to make sure your warfarin dose is right for you while you’re on flutamide (Eulexin). Seek medical help right away if you have sudden weakness or numbness in your body, severe headache, confusion, dizziness, seizures, changes in vision, loss of balance, slurred speech, throwing up blood, or bloody or black and tarry stools. These can be signs of serious bleeds and need to be treated immediately.

Possibly toxicity

*Risk factors: Smoking | Missing glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme | Certain genetic blood problem *

Though very rare, you might experience serious toxicity from flutamide (Eulexin) as your body breaks it down. This toxicity can lead to fast destruction of your red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), not enough oxygen traveling throughout your body (methemoglobinemia), or certain liver problems (cholestatic jaundice). Your risk for toxicity is higher if you smoke or if you have certain rare genetic conditions that affect your blood, such as hemoglobin M disease. Let your provider know if you experience symptoms of toxicity such as blood problems (dizziness, tiredness, weakness, trouble breathing) or liver problems (stomach pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the eyes and skin).

Flutamide (Eulexin) dosage

The average cost for 30 capsules of 125mg of Flutamide (Eulexin) is $31.75 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 55.21% off the average retail price of $70.89.

Capsule

Dosage	Quantity	Price as low as	Price per unit
125mg	30 capsules	$31.75	$1.06

Typical dosage for Flutamide (Eulexin)

The typical dose is 250 mg taken by mouth three times a day.

It must be used in combination with another hormonal medication that targets luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH).

Interactions between Flutamide (Eulexin) and other drugs

Flutamide (Eulexin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Flutamide (Eulexin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Pexidartinib

How much does Flutamide (Eulexin) cost?

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Flutamide (Eulexin) (generic)

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Flutamide (Eulexin) contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Flutamide (Eulexin) will not be safe for you to take.

= Severe liver problems