Let's learn about Flutamide tablets? Prostate cancer treatment in simple terms

Has the doctor told you or a loved one in your family that you have prostate cancer? I know it's not easy to face life with such a diagnosis . But at the same time, the doctor may have told you to start a medicine called Flutamide. It's normal for us to have questions and fears about it when starting a new medicine. So today, let's talk about this medicine called Flutamide, what it does to our body, what good and bad things it can do, and the things you need to be careful about when using it, in a very simple way that you can understand.

What exactly is Flutamide?

Simply put, Flutamide is a medication used to treat prostate cancer. It comes in the form of a pill.

Now let's see how this works inside the body. Think of the cancer cells in the prostate gland as little plants. These plants need "nutrition" to grow and spread. The hormone testosterone, which is produced in a man's body, is the main nutrition for these cancer cells. That means, as long as testosterone is available, the cancer will continue to grow.

So what this Flutamide drug does is very simple. When it enters the body, it blocks the message that the cancer cells receive from the hormone testosterone, which is the message "to grow." It's like blocking the food supply to the cancer cells. Then the cancer cells' ability to grow and spread is reduced, or they stop altogether. This is the basic action of this drug.

Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication

Before giving you Flutamide, your doctor will need to know your complete medical history. This is because some people with certain medical conditions need to be very careful when giving this medicine. So, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor. Don't hide these, as they are very important for your safety.

How exactly do I use this medicine?

To get the most out of a medicine, you need to use it properly.

• This medicine comes in the form of a pill. Take it with a glass of water.
• Take your medicine every day, exactly as your doctor tells you. Usually, you're told to take it three times a day, every 8 hours. Try to find a time that's convenient for you and take it at the same time every day.
• Never stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice. It is important to complete the course of treatment, even if you feel better.
• This medicine is not given to children, so special care is needed.

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

We all forget to take our medicine sometimes. If that happens, don't worry.

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• However, if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time.
• Never, for any reason, take two doses of medication at once (double dose). Doing so may increase the amount of medication and cause side effects.

What if I take too much medicine by mistake?

If something like that happens, don't take it lightly. You need to take action immediately.

• Immediately call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital .
• Otherwise, go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible. It's a good idea to take your medicine packet with you.

Things to be careful about when taking medicine

Your doctor will monitor you throughout the time you take this medicine. There are also some things you should be aware of.

Blood Sugar

This medicine may cause blood sugar levels to increase in some people. This risk is higher if you already have diabetes. So talk to your doctor about whether you need to make changes to your diet or your diabetes medication to control your blood sugar levels.

Pregnancy and Birth Defects

This is a very important and sensitive matter.

Therefore, if your partner is of childbearing potential while you are taking this medication, be sure to use a condom every time you have sex. Don't be shy about this and talk to your doctor for further advice.

Other medications

Flutamide can interact with blood thinners like warfarin , so tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements). Also, tell your doctor if you drink alcohol or smoke.

What are the possible side effects?

Like any medicine, Flutamide can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some are serious, while others are common. The important thing is to be aware of them.

This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual outside of these, talk to your doctor about it.

Where is the medicine kept safely?

Keeping medication safe is also part of the treatment itself.

• Keep out of reach of children and pets .
• Keep it at a temperature between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius (68-77 Fahrenheit). That means normal room temperature is fine.
• Protect from moisture. So don't store medicine in damp places like the bathroom.
• Never use expired medications . Throw them away.

It's also important to be careful when disposing of unused medications. It's best to ask your doctor about this. Some pharmacies have programs that accept old medications. Alternatively, you can take the pills out of the bottle, mix them with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, and put them in a tightly sealed bag and throw them in the trash. This will help prevent them from getting into the hands of someone else.