SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning and Precautions sections.
Because nilutamide may be used with other medications, the side effects may be due to either one medicine or the combination of medications. Hot flashes, sweating, dizziness, loss of sexual interest/ability, vision changes (e.g., difficulty seeing when moving into the dark or light, changes in color vision), abdominal pain, body aches, constipation, nausea, sleeping problems, shrinkage of testicles (if they have not been removed), signs of alcohol intolerance (e.g., flushing, tiredness) and loss of body hair may occur. Less common side effects include dry skin, decreased sense of touch, vomiting, and diarrhea. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: chest pain, swelling of feet/ankles/legs.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: tiredness, weakness, pale skin, bluish fingernails/lips/skin, fast heartbeat at rest, feeling short of breath at rest, signs of infection (e.g., high fever, shaking, chills, cough, persistent sore throat), bloody/black stools, easy bruising/bleeding.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you may call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before taking nilutamide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: serious liver problems, severe breathing problems (e.g., severe emphysema, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: any other lung disease (e.g., asthma), mild liver problems.
This drug may rarely make you dizzy, drowsy, or cause vision changes. Until you know how this medication affects you, use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness or clear vision. You may also develop intolerance to alcohol. Avoid alcoholic beverages while taking this medication.
Rarely, nilutamide has caused severe (sometimes fatal) liver problems. Immediately tell your doctor if you develop symptoms of liver problems (appetite loss, persistent nausea, vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, severe tiredness, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, aching muscles, joint pain). Liver problems can happen at any time while taking nilutamide, but they occur most often during the first 3-4 months of treatment. Your doctor will tell you whether to stop or continue nilutamide. Your doctor will be monitoring your liver function with blood tests while you are taking nilutamide. Keep all medical and laboratory appointments.
Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially drowsiness.
Nilutamide should not be used in women. Women who are pregnant should avoid touching or accidentally taking this medication. It may harm an unborn baby. Consult your doctor for more information.
It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Women who are breastfeeding should avoid touching or accidentally taking this medication. Consult your doctor for more information.