Antiandrogens, Nonsteroidal (Systemic)

Side Effects of This Medicine

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:

Less common

Chest pain; shortness of breath or difficult or troubled breathing

Rare

Pain or tenderness in the upper right side of the abdomen (stomach); yellow eyes or skin

Also, check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Cough or hoarseness; fever; runny nose; sneezing; sore throat; tightness in chest or wheezing

Less common

Bloody or black, tarry stools; chills (flutamide only); itching; lower back or side pain (flutamide only); mental depression; numbness, tingling, pain, or muscle weakness in hands, arms, feet, or legs; skin rash; swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs; unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

Bluish-colored lips, fingernails, or palms of hands (flutamide only); dark urine; dizziness (severe) or fainting (flutamide only); feeling of severe pressure in head (flutamide only); pinpoint red spots on skin; unusual bleeding or bruising

Other 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. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Constipation; decrease in or loss of appetite; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; impotence or decrease in sexual desire; nausea; swelling of breasts with pain or tenderness; trouble in sleeping

Less common

Bloated feeling, gas, or indigestion; change in color vision (nilutamide only); confusion; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; �flu-like� symptoms, such as headache, muscle or joint pain, or tiredness (occurring together); nervousness; vomiting

Although not all of the side effects listed above have been reported for all of these medicines, they have been reported for at least one of them. However, because all nonsteroidal antiandrogens are very similar, it is possible that any of the above side effects may occur with any of these medicines.

In addition to the effects listed above, hot flashes (flushing, sudden sweating, and feeling of warmth) often occur during treatment with these medicines. Also, flutamide may cause your urine to have an amber or a yellow-green color. These effects are harmless and do not need medical attention.

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