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 Nilutamide

Nilutamide is an antiandrogen medication used in the treatment of advanced stage prostate cancer. Nilutamide blocks the androgen receptor, preventing its interaction with testosterone. Because most prostate cancer cells rely on the stimulation of the androgen receptor for growth and survival, nilutamide can prolong life in men with prostate cancer. Nilutamide is marketed under the name Nilandron in the United States and under the name Anandron in Canada.

NILANDRON® tablets contain nilutamide, a nonsteroidal, orally active antiandrogen having the chemical name 5,5-dimethyl-3-[4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-2,4-imidazolidinedione. Nilutamide is a microcrystalline, white to practically white powder with a molecular weight of 317.25. Its molecular formula is C12H10F3N3O4.  It is freely soluble in ethyl acetate, acetone, chloroform, ethyl alcohol, dichloromethane, and methanol. It is slightly soluble in water [ < 0.1% W/V at 25°C (77°F)]. It melts between 153°C and 156°C (307.4°F and 312.8°F). Each NILANDRON tablet contains 150 mg of nilutamide. Other ingredients in NILANDRON tablets are corn starch, lactose, povidone, docusate sodium, magnesium stearate, and talc.

Mechanism of Action: Prostate cancer is known to be androgen sensitive and responds to androgen ablation. In animal studies, nilutamide has demonstrated antiandrogenic activity without other hormonal (estrogen, progesterone, mineralocorticoid, and glucocorticoid) effects. In vitro, nilutamide blocks the effects of testosterone at the androgen receptor level. In vivo, nilutamide interacts with the androgen receptor and prevents the normal androgenic response.

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