Nilutamide
Generic name: nilutamide · Brand names: Nilutamide
Androgen Receptor Inhibitor [epc]Information sourced from FDA Structured Product Labeling, updated September 18, 2020.
Interstitial Pneumonitis Interstitial pneumonitis has been reported in 2% of patients in controlled clinical trials in patients exposed to nilutamide. A small study in Japanese subjects showed that 8 of 47 patients (17%) developed interstitial pneumonitis. Reports of interstitial changes including pulmonary fibrosis that led to hospitalization and death have been reported rarely post-marketing.
Symptoms included exertional dyspnea, cough, chest pain, and fever. X-rays showed interstitial or alveolo-interstitial changes, and pulmonary function tests revealed a restrictive pattern with decreased DLco. Most cases occurred within the first 3 months of treatment with Nilutamide Tablets, and most reversed with discontinuation of therapy.
A routine chest X-ray should be performed prior to initiating treatment with Nilutamide Tablets. Baseline pulmonary function tests may be considered. Patients should be instructed to report any new or worsening shortness of breath that they experience while on Nilutamide Tablets.
If symptoms occur, Nilutamide Tablets should be immediately discontinued until it can be determined if the symptoms are drug related.
What is it used for?
Metastatic Prostate Cancer Nilutamide Tablets are indicated for use in combination with surgical castration for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer (Stage D 2 ). For maximum benefit, treatment with Nilutamide Tablets must begin on the same day as or on the day after surgical castration.
How to take it
The recommended dosage is 300 mg once a day for 30 days, followed thereafter by 150 mg once a day. Nilutamide Tablets can be taken with or without food.
Warnings
Interstitial Pneumonitis Interstitial pneumonitis has been reported in 2% of patients in controlled clinical trials in patients exposed to nilutamide. A small study in Japanese subjects showed that 8 of 47 patients (17%) developed interstitial pneumonitis. Reports of interstitial changes including pulmonary fibrosis that led to hospitalization and death have been reported rarely post-marketing.
Symptoms included exertional dyspnea, cough, chest pain, and fever. X-rays showed interstitial or alveolo-interstitial changes, and pulmonary function tests revealed a restrictive pattern with decreased DLco. Most cases occurred within the first 3 months of treatment with Nilutamide Tablets, and most reversed with discontinuation of therapy.
A routine chest X-ray should be performed prior to initiating treatment with Nilutamide Tablets. Baseline pulmonary function tests may be considered. Patients should be instructed to report any new or worsening shortness of breath that they experience while on Nilutamide Tablets.
If symptoms occur, Nilutamide Tablets should be immediately discontinued until it can be determined if the symptoms are drug related. Hepatitis Rare cases of death or hospitalization due to severe liver injury have been reported post-marketing in association with the use of Nilutamide Tablets. Hepatotoxicity in these reports generally occurred within the first 3 to 4 months of treatment.
Hepatitis or marked increases in liver enzymes leading to drug discontinuation occurred in 1% of Nilutamide Tablet patients in controlled clinical trials. Serum transaminase levels should be measured prior to starting treatment with Nilutamide Tablets, at regular intervals for the first 4 months of treatment, and periodically thereafter. Liver function tests should also be obtained at the first sign or symptom suggestive of liver dysfunction, e.g. nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, "flu-like" symptoms, dark urine, jaundice, or right upper quadrant tenderness.
If at any time, a patient has jaundice, or their ALT rises above 2 times the upper limit of normal, Nilutamide Tablets should be immediately discontinued with close follow-up of liver function tests until resolution. Use in Women Nilutamide Tablets have no indication for women, and should not be used in this population, particularly for non-serious or non-life threatening conditions. Other Foreign post-marketing surveillance has revealed isolated cases of aplastic anemia in which a causal relationship with Nilutamide Tablets could not be ascertained.
Who should not take it
Nilutamide Tablets are contraindicated: • in patients with severe hepatic impairment (baseline hepatic enzymes should be evaluated prior to treatment) • in patients with severe respiratory insufficiency • in patients with hypersensitivity to nilutamide or any component of this preparation.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with nilutamide. It is also not known whether nilutamide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. Nilutamide should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
Side effects
Clinical Trial Experience The following adverse experiences were reported during a multicenter clinical trial comparing Nilutamide Tablets + surgical castration versus placebo + surgical castration. The most frequently reported (greater than 5%) adverse experiences during treatment with Nilutamide Tablets in combination with surgical castration are listed below. For comparison, adverse experiences seen with surgical castration and placebo are also listed. Adverse Experience Nilutamide Tablets + surgical castration (N=225) % All Placebo + surgical castration (N=232) % All Cardiovascular System Hypertension 5.3
Digestive System Nausea
9.8
Constipation
7.1
Endocrine System Hot
flushes 28.4
Metabolic and Nutritional System Increased
AST 8.0
Increased
ALT 7.6
Nervous System Dizziness
7.1
Respiratory System Dyspnea
6.2
Special Senses Impaired
adaptation to dark 12.9
Abnormal
vision 6.7
Urogenital System Urinary
tract infection 8.0
The
overall incidence of adverse experiences was 86% (194/225) for the Nilutamide Tablets group and 81% (188/232) for the placebo group. The following adverse experiences were reported during a multicenter clinical trial comparing Nilutamide Tablets + leuprolide versus placebo + leuprolide. The most frequently reported (greater than 5%) adverse experiences during treatment with Nilutamide Tablets in combination with leuprolide are listed below.
For comparison, adverse experiences seen with leuprolide and placebo are also listed. Adverse Experience Nilutamide Tablets + leuprolide (N=209) % All Placebo + leuprolide (N=202) % All Body as a Whole Pain 26.8
Headache
13.9
Asthenia
19.1
Back
pain 11.5
Abdominal
pain 10.0
Chest
pain 7.2
Flu
syndrome 7.2
Fever
5.3
Cardiovascular System Hypertension
9.1
Digestive System Nausea
23.9
Constipation
19.6
Anorexia
11.0
Dyspepsia
6.7
Vomiting
5.7
Endocrine System Hot
flushes 66.5
Impotence
11.0
Libido
decreased 11.0
Hemic and Lymphatic System Anemia
7.2
Metabolic and Nutritional System Increased
AST 12.9
Peripheral
edema 12.4
Increased
ALT 9.1
Musculoskeletal System Bone Pain
6.2
Nervous System Insomnia
16.3
Dizziness
10.0
Depression
8.6
Hypesthesia
5.3
Respiratory System Dyspnea
10.5
Upper
respiratory infection 8.1
Pneumonia
5.3
Skin and Appendages Sweating
6.2
Body
hair loss 5.7
Dry
skin 5.3
Rash
5.3
Special Senses Impaired
adaptation to dark 56.9
Chromatopsia
8.6
Impaired
adaptation to light 7.7
Abnormal
vision 6.2
Urogenital System Testicular
atrophy 16.3
Gynecomastia
10.5
Urinary
tract infection 8.6
Hematuria
8.1
Urinary
tract disorder 7.2
Nocturia
6.7
The
overall incidence of adverse experiences is 99.5% (208/209) for the Nilutamide Tablets group and 98.5% (199/202) for the placebo group. Some frequently occurring adverse experiences, for example hot flushes, impotence, and decreased libido, are known to be associated with low serum androgen levels and known to occur with medical or surgical castration alone. Notable was the higher incidence of visual disturbances (variously described as impaired adaptation to darkness, abnormal vision, and colored vision), which led to treatment discontinuation in 1% to 2% of patients.
Interstitial pneumonitis occurred in one (<1%) patient receiving Nilutamide Tablets in combination with surgical castration and in seven patients (3%) receiving Nilutamide Tablets in combination with leuprolide and one patient receiving placebo in combination with leuprolide. Overall, it has been reported in 2% of patients receiving Nilutamide Tablets. This included a report of interstitial pneumonitis in 8 of 47 patients (17%) in a small study performed in Japan.
In addition, the following adverse experiences were reported in 2 to 5% of patients treated with Nilutamide Tablets in combination with leuprolide or orchiectomy. Body as a Whole: Malaise (2%). Cardiovascular System: Angina (2%), heart failure (3%), syncope (2%). Digestive System: Diarrhea (2%), gastrointestinal disorder (2%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (2%), melena (2%).
Metabolic and Nutritional System: Alcohol intolerance (5%), edema (2%), weight loss (2%). Musculoskeletal System: Arthritis (2%). Nervous System: Dry mouth (2%), nervousness (2%), paresthesia (3%). Respiratory System: Cough increased (2%), interstitial lung disease (2%), lung disorder (4%), rhinitis (2%).
Skin and Appendages: Pruritus (2%). Special Senses: Cataract (2%), photophobia (2%). Laboratory Values: Haptoglobin increased (2%), leukopenia (3%), alkaline phosphatase increased (3%), BUN increased (2%), creatinine increased (2%), hyperglycemia (4%). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-308-6755 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
All information on this site is provided “as-is” for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. You should consult with a medical professional if you have any questions about your health. Source: FDA Structured Product Labeling.