Uses
What is dutasteride used for?
Dutasteride is commonly used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate gland is enlarged but not cancerous. When the prostate is enlarged, it pinches the urethra. This may lead to problems with your bladder muscles and urination (peeing).
Dutasteride is used to improve the symptoms of BPH. It helps to lower the risk of an emergency in which you suddenly cannot urinate even though your bladder is full. It also helps to lower the chance of needing surgery for BPH.
Dutasteride may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does dutasteride work (mechanism of action)?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone that makes the prostate grow larger than usual. Dutasteride works by blocking an enzyme that turns testosterone into DHT. This helps to reduce the size of the prostate, which makes it easier to pee. It may take 3 to 6 months before you notice an improvement in your symptoms.
How is dutasteride supplied (dosage forms)?
Dutasteride is available as Avodart and generic dutasteride in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 0.5 mg oral capsules
How should I store dutasteride?
Dutasteride should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
If dutasteride is stored at high temperatures, the capsule may leak or change in color. To be safe, do not take or touch dutasteride capsules that are leaking, discolored, or damaged.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of dutasteride?
The most common side effects of dutasteride are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Problems getting or keeping an erection
- Reduced sex drive
- Problems with ejaculation, such as delayed ejaculation or inability to ejaculate
- Sore or enlarged breasts in men
There may be other side effects of dutasteride that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of dutasteride?
While less common, the most serious side effects of dutasteride are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Dutasteride may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking dutasteride and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Risk of Prostate Cancer. While rare, dutasteride may raise the risk of a serious form of prostate cancer that can spread quickly. Prostate cancer and BPH may cause similar symptoms, such as urination (peeing) problems. Get prostate cancer screening tests as recommended by your healthcare provider. And tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms, especially if they are more frequent or severe than usual.
- Difficult, frequent, or painful urination
- Bloody pee or semen
- Pain in your back, pelvis, or hips that does not go away
- Weight loss for no clear reason
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not take dutasteride?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take dutasteride.
- Dutasteride
- Avodart
- Any other medicine known as a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, such as finasteride (Proscar, Propecia)
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific dutasteride products they stock.
Pregnancy. Do not take dutasteride if you are pregnant or may be pregnant. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare professional right away. See the Pregnancy section for more details.
What should I know about dutasteride before taking it?
Do not take dutasteride unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share dutasteride with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep dutasteride out of the reach of children.
Do not chew, crush, or open dutasteride capsules.
Dutasteride may affect semen. You may have less semen than usual, and the number and activity of sperm may be reduced. These changes may continue after dutasteride is stopped. It is unknown if these changes could affect your fertility (the ability to father a pregnancy). If you have any concerns or questions about this, talk to your healthcare provider before starting dutasteride.
People who are or may be pregnant should not touch dutasteride capsules. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin and may harm an unborn baby. If skin contact occurs, wash the area right away with soap and water.
Do not donate blood while taking dutasteride or for at least 6 months after your last dose. This medicine stays in the blood for up to 6 months and could harm an unborn baby if someone who is pregnant receives donated blood that contains dutasteride.
Dutasteride is commonly used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. In some cases, BPH can occur at the same time as prostate cancer. Your healthcare provider may recommend getting tested for prostate cancer before you start dutasteride and getting regular screenings thereafter.
Dutasteride can lower the levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood. You should still get PSA tests to check for prostate cancer as advised by your healthcare provider. Dutasteride does not help prevent prostate cancer.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking dutasteride?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if dutasteride is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Liver Problems. It is not known if dutasteride is safe to take if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.
Other Medicines and Supplements. Dutasteride may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking dutasteride, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. Dutasteride may cause harm to an unborn baby if the medicine is taken or touched by someone who is pregnant. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant, stop taking dutasteride right away and contact your healthcare provider.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if dutasteride passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does dutasteride interact with foods or drinks?
Your healthcare provider may recommend limiting or avoiding grapefruit while taking dutasteride. Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice might increase your risk of side effects from dutasteride.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect dutasteride.
You may take dutasteride with or without food.
Does dutasteride interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking dutasteride.
- Cimetidine (Tagamet HB), which is a medicine used for heartburn
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
- Ketoconazole, which is a medicine used for fungal infections
- Ritonavir, which is a medicine used for viral infections
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of dutasteride. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with dutasteride. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally take too much dutasteride?
If you or someone else has taken too much dutasteride, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of dutasteride?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Dutasteride (Avodart)?
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