"Flutamide" is one of the antiandrogenic drugs and is used to eliminate the symptoms of androgenization. It has the ability to limit the metabolic processes of androgen hormones and effectively spreads its effect to organs in need of treatment. The main purpose of the drug is to suppress the male hormone, to stop the diseases caused by its excess.
Pharmacological properties
The drug "Flutamide-250" is used in the treatment of women and men with signs of increased testosterone production, suffering from undesirable consequences and manifestations of this hormone. Nonsteroidal drugs inhibit androgen biosynthesis and secretion of glands, reduce the production of gonadotropin, and also reduce the concentration of active androgen molecules. The drug activates metabolic processes, enhances metabolic activity to remove excess hormones from the body.
It belongs to the group of non-steroidal drugs and is an antagonist of 5-a-reductase. Reception "Flutamide" does not affect the production of gonadotropin in the pituitary gland and does not reduce gonadotropic function.
Indications for admission
The effectiveness of treatment brings a comprehensive effect on the process of lowering the level of active hormones. What is Flutamide used for? Instructions for use show a decrease, and subsequently inhibition of the androgenization process.
Due to the increased production of androgens, the activity of the 5-α- enzyme, which is involved in the reproduction of the skin and contributes to the sensitivity of its receptors to these hormones, is enhanced. Thus begins the development of idiopathic hirsutism in need of treatment.
Until recently, it was prescribed for the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia in men, but not so long ago its positive effect was revealed, aimed at the successful treatment of some female diseases. With hirsutism, alopecia "Flutamide" for women, taken daily for three months, effectively enough reduces the increased level of male hormone in the blood, and these diseases lose their severity.
Diseases in which the drug is indicated
- Prostate cancer with the spread of metastases in men.
- Hirsutism and alopecia in women.
- With surgical castration of men.
- With a hormonal disorder with symptoms of acne.
- With miscarriage or impossibility of conception.
The main indications are symptoms indicating an excess of testosterone in the body. In women, this is excessive male-type hair growth, baldness, menstrual irregularities, etc. There are also metabolic disorders of hormones with hidden symptoms, such as anovulation, uterine and mammary gland hypoplasia .
To make an accurate diagnosis, the attending physician prescribes an additional examination, which involves a detailed study of blood tests for the state of the level of various hormones in the body.
Self-administration of the drug, without the recommendation of a doctor, can cause irreparable harm to health. Prescribe treatment should be strictly a doctor!
Reception features
For the drug "Flutamide", the instructions for use indicate the achievement of the maximum concentration in the blood 2-3 hours after administration, which indicates a rapid absorption of the drug by the intestines. The elimination half-life is about 5-6 hours with urine, and a little later, after 8-9 hours, the remainder is excreted. The quality of excretion directly depends on the age of the patient and general health.
Diseases with androgenization symptoms in women require an individual approach to treatment. Determining the degree, severity, localization of problem areas and other factors affects the prescription of drugs, usually in a complex, Flutamide is prescribed. Instructions for use show taking three times a day, one capsule, observing equal intervals of time. A daily dose of 750 mg, the minimum treatment period is six weeks.
Therapy of symptoms due to an increased content of androgens should be combined with some other antiandrogenic drugs. Often in the complex is prescribed "Dexamethasone", "Prednisolone" and other corticosteroids. Soothing procedures are also used to support the upset psyche of patients with obvious symptoms caused by a riot of hormones.
Even in the absence of previously disturbing symptoms, it is not recommended to cancel the drug on its own, for this you need the advice of an endocrinologist who monitors the development of the disease. Strict adherence to all prescriptions by a doctor’s prescription is necessary. If, for any reason, the pill was missed, then you should not take the next time two, but just continue the usual dose. Skipping a drug is not as harmful as a single dose of a double dose.
Release form
Release in the form of capsules or coated tablets. Designed for oral administration. The active substance is flutamide 250 mg.
In pharmacies, "Flutamide" is sold only by prescription.
Keep in a dry and cool place out of the reach of children.
Production - Orion Corporation, a pharmaceutical company (Finland).
On "Flutamide" the price is from 1798 to 1968 rubles per pack (84 tablets).
Contraindications
As practice has shown, experience in treating women is still insufficient, mainly related to the uncertainty in knowledge about side effects and the harmful effects on the liver. Therefore, despite its high effectiveness, the drug should be taken with caution, observing the recommendations of doctors.
- It is forbidden to take Flutamide in patients with diseases of the thyroid gland, liver or kidneys.
- Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug "Flutamide".
- Contraindications for violations of the kidneys, liver, pancreas.
- Use with caution with a tendency to form blood clots and with impaired cardiovascular system.
Interaction with other drugs
Before using the drug, it is recommended to tell the doctor which medicines are taken regularly. The doctor should take into account the intake of vitamins, nutritional supplements, up to taking activated charcoal.
- "Flutamide", while used with other drugs, is able to enhance the effect of antigulants, therefore, the correct dosage calculation is necessary taking into account the interaction.
- Smoking and alcohol can also change the effect of the drug on the body. At the time of admission, it will be rational to abandon addictions.
- The doctor must also be informed about existing blood diseases.
- If you are planning a pregnancy, be sure to consult your doctor about further admission.
- Report allergic reactions to medicines, if any, and this is known.
Overdose
If Flutamide tablets were accidentally taken in a large dosage, then you need to wash the stomach and go to the hospital or ambulance. The consequences of an overdose can lead to an irreversible excessive increase in hormone suppression or completely stop the production of gonadotropin, which will lead to another disease. Therefore, compliance with the rules is necessary in order to take Flutamide, the instructions for use indicate strict adherence to the dosages and directions of the doctor.
Side effect
After a long intake, men can detect symptoms of gynecomastia, chest pain, fluid retention.
If the following phenomena occur, which can be simple physiological conditions, the drug should be discussed with a doctor, especially if this was not the case before.
Symptoms of side effects
- Digestive upset.
- Impaired appetite.
- Lowering libido.
- Breast enlargement in men.
- Depressive conditions.
- Violation of sleep and wakefulness.
- Swelling.
- Urine discoloration.
- Fatigue.
Adverse reactions are an infrequent phenomenon, but with the listed symptoms it is better to notify the doctor, you may have to change something in the approach to treatment or discontinue the drug.
Analogs
Antiandrogens - a group of drugs that have the property of suppressing the excessive production of progesterone, which causes noticeable disorders in the health of the patient. The following nonsteroidal preparations can be attributed to similar Flutamide in terms of properties and composition:
- "Cyproterone" is the most common drug in the progestogen group with antigonadotropic activity.
- Spironolactone (Veroshpiron). The second most popular drug, replaced by "Flutamide", the principles of exposure are quite similar, rather, even indistinguishable.
Before you start taking any drug in this group, you need to make sure that the source of the disease is in no way associated with pregnancy, a tumor. Careful preparation for an approach in the treatment of hyperandrogenism is required, also take into account contraindications and individual characteristics of each patient. It is important at the doctor’s appointment to describe in detail the symptoms and manifestations of the disease, to name the existing chronic diseases, especially if they are associated with liver function, the only way the doctor can choose a conservative treatment in combination with Flutamide.
Reviews
Briefly tell about the responses about the effectiveness of taking the drug "Flutamide". Reviews can be discussed from those people who have undergone treatment. Women suffering from hirsutism symptoms have normalized hair growth. The sebaceous glands on the skin that cause acne have also regained their normal functions.
There were cases that “Flutamide” did not really help, the reviews did not confirm the particular benefit of the reception, this is most likely due to incorrect diagnostics or errors in use. Some patients do not finish the long course of treatment due to the price of the drug, in which case you can consult a doctor and resort to cheaper analogues in order not to stop the therapy. At "Flutamide" the price is quite high, and this must be taken into account, the course of treatment is quite long and will require some financial waste.
special instructions
With complex treatment, three days before the start of the GnRH agonist, Flutamide should be taken to reduce the likelihood of side effects. With liver failure, treatment is indicated only if this is the only method that solves the problem. A laboratory study of liver function should be performed. There was a slight increase in the liver when taking Flutamide, but after cancellation, the size became normal. For unwanted symptoms, discontinuation of the drug is recommended.
Appropriate laboratory studies to evaluate liver function should be performed for each patient once a month for the first 4 months, and then periodically or with the development of the first symptoms of impaired hepatic function (itching, darkening of the urine, persistent loss of appetite, jaundice, tension in the right hypochondrium). For long-term treatment of men in the absence of chemical or surgical castration, regular monitoring of sperm is necessary to maintain fertility.
No studies have been carried out on the subject of driving a vehicle and controlling machinery. But if you experience symptoms such as dizziness or a headache, then it is better not to risk it and not to drive.