Nilutamide Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 16, 2023.

Applies to nilutamide: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Nilutamide

Along with its needed effects, nilutamide 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 while taking nilutamide:

More common

• Blood in the urine
• blurred vision
• chest pain
• chills
• cough
• diarrhea
• difficult or labored breathing
• dizziness
• fever or chills
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• joint pain
• loss of appetite
• muscle aches and pains
• nausea
• nervousness
• pale skin
• pounding in the ears
• runny nose
• shivering
• shortness of breath
• slow or fast heartbeat
• sneezing
• sore throat
• sweating
• tightness in the chest
• trouble with sleeping
• troubled breathing with exertion
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• wheezing

Less common

• Arm, back, or jaw pain
• blindness
• bloody, black, or tarry stools
• change in color vision
• decreased urine output
• decreased vision
• difficulty seeing at night
• dilated neck veins
• fainting
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• increased cough
• increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
• irregular breathing
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• weight gain or loss

Other side effects of Nilutamide

Some side effects of nilutamide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• body hair loss
• bone pain
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• changes in vision
• decrease in testicle size
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• depression
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• dizziness
• dry skin
• feeling of warmth
• heartburn
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increased urge to urinate during the night
• indigestion
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• pain
• rash
• redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest
• sleeplessness
• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
• sudden sweating
• unable to sleep
• waking to urinate at night

Less common

• Difficulty with moving
• dry mouth
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• itching
• muscle pain or stiffness
• pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
• passing of gas

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to nilutamide: oral tablet.

Respiratory

Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (up to 10.5%)

Common (1% to 10%): Interstitial pneumonitis, lung disorder, upper respiratory infection, pneumonia, increased cough, rhinitis

Postmarketing reports: Interstitial or alveolo-interstitial changes (e.g. pulmonary fibrosis)^[Ref]

Hepatic

Very common (10% or more): Increased AST (up to 12.9%)

Common (1% to 10%): Increased ALT, increased alkaline phosphatase, increased BUN, increased creatinine

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatitis

Rare (less than 0.1%): Mixed hepatocellular-fulminant hepatitis^[Ref]

Ocular

Very common (10% or more): Impaired adaptation to dark (up to 57%)

Common (1% to 10%): Chromatopsia, impaired adaptation to light, abnormal vision, cataract, photophobia^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, angina, heart failure

Frequency not reported: QT prolongation^[Ref]

Hematologic

Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, hematuria, melena, increased haptoglobin, leukopenia

Rare (less than 0.1%): Aplastic anemia^[Ref]

General

The most common adverse events (especially nausea, alcohol intolerance, impairment of dark or light adaptation and dizziness) occur early during treatment and usually lessen after one month following dose reduction.^[Ref]

Endocrine

Very common (10% or more): Hot flushes (up to 66.5%), impotence (up to 11%), decreased libido (up to 11%), gynecomastia (up to 10.5%)

Common (1% to 10%): Sweating, body hair loss^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Very common (10% or more): Testicular atrophy (up to 16.3%)

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, urinary tract disorder, nocturia^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Pain (up to 26.8%), asthenia (up to 19.1%), peripheral edema (up to 12.4%), alcohol intolerance (up to 10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, fever, flu syndrome, malaise, syncope^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 13.9%), dizziness (up to 10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Hypesthesia, paresthesia, nervousness^[Ref]

Metabolic

Very common (10% or more): Anorexia (up to 11%)

Common (1% to 10%): Weight loss, hyperglycemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Very common (10% or more): Back pain (up to 11.5%)

Common (1% to 10%): Bone pain, arthritis^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Very common (10% or more): Insomnia (up to 16.3%)

Common (1% to 10%): Depression^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 23.9%), constipation (up to 19.6%), abdominal pain (up to 10%)

Common (1% to 10%): Dyspepsia, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorder, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, dry mouth^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Dry skin, rash, pruritus^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer