Which drug is used in the treatment of prostate carcinoma?

Flutamide is an anti-androgen medication that is commonly used in the treatment of prostate carcinoma. It functions by blocking the action of androgens, such as testosterone, at the androgen receptor. In prostate cancer, which is often driven by androgen stimulation, inhibiting these receptors can help to slow the growth of cancerous cells.

Flutamide is used particularly in combination with other therapies, such as surgical castration or gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, to enhance overall treatment efficacy. This approach is part of a broader strategy in managing prostate cancer, where reducing androgen levels is critical since prostate tumors are typically androgen-dependent.

In contrast, while leuprolide is indeed another effective treatment for prostate cancer as it acts as a GnRH agonist leading to decreased testosterone production, flutamide's specific mechanism as an anti-androgen distinguishes it in therapeutic regimens. Finasteride is primarily used for benign prostatic hyperplasia and male pattern baldness, not for treating prostate cancer. Docetaxel, a chemotherapy agent, is used for metastatic prostate cancer, but it is not specifically indicated for localized or early-stage disease without other hormonal therapies.