"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 androgenic hormones and effectively extends its action to the organs in need of treatment. The main purpose of the drug is the suppression of the male hormone, for the relief of 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. Non-steroidal drugs inhibit androgen biosynthesis and gland secretion, 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.
Belongs to the group of nonsteroidal drugs and is a 5-a-reductase antagonist. Taking "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 complex effect on the process of lowering the level of active hormones. What is the purpose of Flutamid? Instructions for use show a decrease, and subsequently inhibition of the androgenization process.
As a result of increased production of androgens, the activity of the enzyme 5-α-, which is involved in the reproduction of the skin and contributes to the sensitivity of its receptors to these hormones, increases. Thus begins the development of idiopathic hirsutism that needs 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 certain female diseases. With hirsutism, alopecia "Flutamide" for women, when taken daily for three months, effectively reduces the elevated level of the male hormone in the blood, and these diseases lose their severity.
Diseases in which the drug is indicated
- Prostate cancer with spread of metastases in men.
- Hirsutism and alopecia in women.
- When males are surgically castrated.
- Hormonal disorders with acne symptoms.
- In case of miscarriagepregnancy or inability to conceive.
The main indications are symptoms indicating an excess of testosterone in the body. In women, this is excessive male pattern hair, baldness, menstrual irregularities, etc. There are also hormone metabolism disorders 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.
Independent use of the drug, without the recommendation of the attending physician, can cause irreparable harm to he alth. Prescribe treatment should be strictly a doctor!
Features of reception
For the drug "Flutamide" instructions for use indicates the achievement of the maximum concentration in the blood 2-3 hours after ingestion, which indicates the rapid absorption of the drug by the intestines. The half-life is about 5-6 hours in the 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 the general state of he alth.
Diseases with symptoms of androgenization 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 "Flutamide" is prescribed when taking the complex. Instructions for use shows the intake three times a day, one capsule, observing equalperiods of time. The daily dose is 750 mg, the minimum duration of treatment is six weeks.
Treatment of androgen-related symptoms should be combined with some other anti-androgenic drugs. Often, Dexamethasone, Prednisolone and other corticosteroids are prescribed in the complex. Sedative procedures are also used to support the upset psyche of patients with obvious symptoms caused by a rampage of hormones.
Even in the absence of previously disturbing symptoms, it is not recommended to cancel the drug on your own, for this you need to consult an endocrinologist who monitors the development of the disease. Strict adherence to all prescriptions prescribed by a doctor is necessary. If for some reason a pill was missed, then you should not take two next time, but simply continue the usual intake. Skipping a drug is not as bad as taking a double dose once.
Issue form
Produced in the form of capsules or coated tablets. Intended for oral administration. The active ingredient is flutamide 250 mg.
In pharmacies, "Flutamid" is sold only by prescription.
Keep in a dry and cool place out of the reach of children.
Manufactured by Orion Corporation, pharmaceutical company (Finland).
For "Flutamid" the price is from 1798 to 1968 rubles per package (84 tablets).
Contraindications
As practice has shown, there is not enough experience in the treatment of women, inthis mainly concerns the uncertainty in knowledge about side effects and harmful effects on the liver. Therefore, despite the high efficiency, the drug should be taken with caution, following the recommendations of doctors.
- Flutamide should not be taken by patients with thyroid, liver or kidney disease.
- Increased sensitivity to the components of the drug "Flutamide".
- Contraindications for disorders of the kidneys, liver, pancreas.
- Use with caution in those with a tendency to form blood clots and with disorders of the cardiovascular system.
Interaction with other drugs
Before using the drug, it is recommended to tell the doctor which medicines are taken regularly. The doctor must take into account in the complaint the intake of vitamins, nutritional supplements, up to the intake of activated charcoal.
- "Flutamide", when used simultaneously with other drugs, can enhance the effect of antiogulants, so it is necessary to correctly calculate the dosage, 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 give up addictions.
- The doctor should also be informed about existing blood diseases.
- If you plan to become pregnant, be sure to consult your doctor about further intake.
- Report allergic reactions to medications if known and present.
Overdose
If flutamide tablets were accidentally taken in a large dosage, then it is necessary to wash the stomach and go to the hospital or an ambulance. The consequences of an overdose can lead to an irreversible excessive increase in hormone suppression or a cessation of gonadotropin production altogether, which will lead to further diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the rules in order to take Flutamide, the instructions for use indicate strict adherence to dosages and doctor's instructions.
Side effect
After long-term use, men may find symptoms of gynecomastia, chest pain, fluid retention.
If the following symptoms occur, which may be simple physiological conditions, the use of the drug should be discussed with a doctor, especially if this has not happened before.
Symptoms of side effects
- Indigestion.
- Disturbed appetite.
- Lower libido.
- Breast enlargement in men.
- Depressive states.
- Violation of sleep and wakefulness.
- Puffiness.
- Changes in urine color.
- Fatigue.
Adverse reactions are rare, but with the listed symptoms it is better to notify the doctor, you may have to change something in the approach to treatment or stop the drug.
Analogues
Antiandrogens are a group of drugs that have the property of suppressing excessive production of progesterone,causing significant he alth problems for the patient. The following non-steroidal drugs can be attributed to similar "Flutamide" in terms of properties and composition:
- "Cyproterone" is the most common progestogen drug with antigonadotropic activity.
- "Spironolactone" ("Veroshpiron"). The second most popular drug, replaced by Flutamide, the principles of action are quite similar, rather, even indistinguishable.
Before you start taking any drug of this group, you must make sure that the source of the disease is in no way connected with pregnancy, a tumor. Careful preparation is required for the approach to the treatment of hyperandrogenism, and contraindications and the individual characteristics of each patient should also be taken into account. 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, only in this way the doctor will be able to choose conservative treatment in combination with Flutamide.
Reviews
Let's briefly talk about the responses about the effectiveness of taking the drug "Flutamide". Feedback can be discussed from those people who have been treated. In women suffering from symptoms of hirsutism, normalization of hair growth was noted. The sebaceous glands on the skin that cause acne have also regained their normal functions.
There were cases that Flutamide did not help much, the reviews did not confirm the particular benefit of taking it, this is most likely due tomisdiagnosis or errors in application. Some patients do not complete a long course of treatment due to the price of the drug, in which case you can consult a doctor and resort to cheaper analogues so as not to stop therapy. The price for "Flutamide" 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
In complex treatment, Flutamide should be taken three days before the start of the GnRH agonist to reduce the likelihood of side effects. In 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 the abolition of the size became normal. With unwanted symptoms, drug withdrawal is recommended.
Appropriate laboratory tests to evaluate liver function should be performed in each patient once a month for the first 4 months, and then periodically or at the first signs of liver dysfunction (itching, dark urine, persistent loss of appetite, jaundice, tension in the right hypochondrium). For long-term treated men in the absence of chemical or surgical castration, regular sperm testing is needed to maintain fertility.
Research has not been conducted on the subject of driving a vehicle and operating mechanisms. But if these symptoms occur,like dizziness or a headache, it is better not to take risks and not drive.
