Nilutamide (Nilandron) (The James)

Nilutamide (Nilandron) (The James)

 

Taking Your Treatment Home

What you need to know about your Anti-Cancer Medicine

 

Here is important information on how to use, handle, and store your medicine, what side effects to look for and how to manage them. If you have questions about this medicine, call your doctor at the number below:

 

How to handle and store:

  • It is safe to handle Nilutamide as a whole tablet.
  • Store in a closed container in a dry place such as a cabinet away from light, heat, and moisture.
  • Do not store in your bathroom or refrigerator.
  • Keep this medicine away from children and do not share it with anyone.

 

How to take:

  • Take 2 tablets (300 mg total) each day for 30 days. After 30 days, lower your dose to 1 tablet (150 mg total) each day.
  • Do not stop taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
  • This medicine may be taken with or without food. If the medicine upsets your stomach, it may help to take it with food.
  • If you miss a dose, wait until it is time for your next dose, and skip the missed dose. Do not double up on doses.

 

Disposal:

  • Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how to get rid of prescription medicines safely.

 

Precautions:

  • Tell your doctor if you have ever had liver or lung disease.
  • Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and herbal products.
  • Ask your doctor or pharmacist before you take any new medicines or herbal supplements.

   

Possible Side Effects

You can find more information on side effects in the Patient Education booklet, Treatment with Chemotherapy and Anti-Cancer Medicines.

 

Vision Changes

What this means: Your eyes may be slow to adapt to darkness or in changing light situations.

What to do:

  • Use caution when you drive at night, where lighting is poor or where there are lighting changes, such as a tunnel.
  • It may help to wear tinted glasses.

 

Breast Tenderness or Enlargement

What this means: Many men will develop mild to moderate swelling of their breasts. Breast or nipple pain may also occur.

What to do:

  • Tell your doctor if these side effects bother you or interfere with your activities.

 

Hot Flashes

What this means: You may have episodes of warmth, sweating and flushing ("hot flash"), sometimes followed by a cold chill.

What to do:

  • Drink at least 8 to 10 cups of non-caffeinated fluid and exercise each day.
  • Wear all natural fiber clothes in layers.
  • Keep away from triggers such as warm rooms, spicy foods, smoking or beverages with caffeine or alcohol.
  • Talk to your doctor before you take over-the-counter remedies.
  • Tell your doctor if this side effect bothers you or interferes with your activities or sleep.

 

Nausea and Vomiting

What to do:

  • Call your doctor if you are unable to keep fluids down for more than 24 hours or if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.
  • Take your anti-nausea medicines as ordered by your doctor.

 

Lung Damage

What this means: It is rare, but this medicine can cause severe lung damage. Signs of lung damage are shortness of breath, cough, chest pain or pressure, and fever.

What to do:

  • Call your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms occur.

 

Liver Function Changes

What this means: It is rare, but this medicine can cause severe liver injury. Signs of liver damage are dark colored urine, yellowing of your skin, abdominal pain or tenderness, "flu-like" symptoms, or nausea and vomiting.

What to do:

  • Call your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms.

 

This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Tell your doctor if you have these or any other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine. Your James health care team can give you other tips for how to manage your side effects.

 

 

© 11/5/2021. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.