Haemolytic anaemia induced by flutamide: a case report

Flutamide-induced haemolytic anaemia is rare but can be fatal. We describe the case of an 88-year-old man with prostatic carcinoma who, in addition to clinically obvious jaundice, developed haemolytic anaemia after undergoing treatment with flutamide for 5 days. When flutamide was replaced with temporary adrenocortical hormone treatment and blood transfusion, the blood indices and liver function of the patient improved gradually. We emphasise the need for routine monitoring of blood counts for patients undergoing flutamide treatment, and highlight the importance of discontinuing flutamide immediately when haemolytic anaemia occurs.