DESCRIPTION
Dutasteride is a prescription drug. It comes only as an oral capsule. Dutasteride is available as the brand-name drug Avodart. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, the brand-name drug and the generic version may be available in different forms and strengths.
Dutasteride may be used as part of a combination therapy. That means you need to take it with other drugs. It is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is also called enlarged prostate. When the prostate is enlarged, it can pinch or squeeze your urethra and make it harder for you to urinate.
Dutasteride helps increase your urine flow and decrease your risk of a complete blockage of urine flow (acute urinary retention). In some cases, these actions can reduce the need for prostate surgery. This belongs to a class of drugs called 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. There’s a hormone in your blood called dihydrotestoterone (DHT) that causes your prostate to grow. Dutasteride prevents the formation of DHT in your body, causing an enlarged prostate to shrink.
USE
Avodart (dutasteride) prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Avodart is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. It helps improve urinary flow and may also reduce your need for prostate surgery later on.
Avodart is sometimes given with another medication called tamsulosin (Flomax). Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications.
PRIOR TO TAKE THIS MEDICINE
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dutasteride or finasteride. Dutasteride should never be taken by a woman or a child. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle dutasteride capsules.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver disease.Using dutasteride may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Your doctor will test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check for cancer while you are using this medicine. Dutasteride is not for use by women, and this medicine can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Dutasteride capsules should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a leaking capsule, wash the area with soap and water right away.
HOW TO USE DUTASTERIDE?
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Swallow the medication whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle this medication. It may take 3 to 6 months to notice an improvement in symptoms. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.
SIDE EFFECTS
Dutasteride oral capsule doesn’t cause drowsiness, but can cause other side effects.
The more common side effects that can occur with dutasteride include:
Trouble getting or keeping an erection, decrease in sex drive, ejaculation problems, decrease in sperm count and activity. These effects may continue after you stop taking dutasteride. Another common side effect is enlarged or painful breasts. This may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If it’s severe or doesn’t go away, or if you notice breast lumps or nipple discharge, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
STORAGE
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Dutasteride capsules may soften and leak if stored at high temperatures. If your capsules crack and leak, do not use them. If your skin comes in contact with the leaking capsules, wash the area right away with soap and water. Contact your pharmacist for more information.
POSSIBLE QUESTIONS
IF DUTASTERIDE IS USED FOR LONG-TERM TREATMENT. WHAT ARE THE SERIOUS RISKS IF YOU DON’T TAKE IT AS PRESCRIBED?
If you don’t take or stop taking dutasteride, you may have increased symptoms such as difficulty starting to urinate, straining while trying to urinate, a weak urine flow, frequent urges to urinate, or more frequent need to wake up during the night to urinate.
WHAT TIPS SHOULD A PATIENT BE AWARE OF IN TAKING THIS MEDICATION?
You can take this drug with or without food. Taking it with food may help to reduce an upset stomach. Don’t crush, chew, or open dutasteride capsules. The contents of the capsule may irritate your lips, mouth, or throat. Swallow the capsule whole.
Avodart is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia-BPH). It works by reducing the size of the enlarged prostate. This helps to relieve symptoms of BPH such as difficulty in beginning the flow of urine, weak stream, and the need to urinate frequently or urgently (including during the middle of the night). It may also reduce the need for surgery to treat BPH.
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