What is Avodart (Dutasteride)?

By  at 17:46    
Avodart is the brand name of the generic drug dutasteride, prescribed to manage symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Avodart belongs to a class of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. The medication stops the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body.
In doing this, Avodart helps shrink prostate tissue and prevent further prostate enlargement.
DHT is the hormone responsible for prostate tissue growth. When too much prostate tissue develops, you have trouble urinating and may have some urine dribbling.
Lowering the level of dihydrotestosterone helps reduce and manage these symptoms.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Avodart in 2001, and GlaxoSmithKline manufactures it.

Avodart and Hair Growth

Abnormally high DHT levels cause hair loss, especially male pattern baldness.
Because Avodart lowers DHT levels, it’s not unusual to see hair growth along the hairline, the crown of the head, and even the eyebrows.
A 2006 study comparing Avodart to a similar drug, finasteride (Propecia, Proscar), and a placebo, showed that men taking 2.5 milligrams (mg) of Avodart had more hair growth at 5, 12, and 24 weeks than those taking 5 mg of finasteride or a placebo.

Avodart Warnings

Don’t take Avodart if you are:
  • Allergic to Avodart or any other ingredient in the drug
  • Female
  • Pregnant
  • A child
If you have liver problems, talk to your doctor about Avodart before taking it.
Wait at least six months after you’ve stopped taking Avodart to donate blood.
The delay is necessary because Avodart may linger in your system and your blood for months and may affect women, unborn babies of pregnant women, and children who receive that blood.

Pregnancy and Avodart

Avodart causes birth defects, so pregnant women should not take it.
Doctors don’t consider Avodart safe to take while breastfeeding, either.
Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, might become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Avodart Coupons

As with many prescription medications, there are several coupon and rebate programs offering discounts on Avodart, both online and from various pharmacies.
Such programs can help make treatment more affordable.
However, a prescription from your doctor is still required to use Avodart, and the drug may or may not be the best option for your symptoms.
The decision on which medication to use should be based on your specific symptoms and needs, and not on available financial incentives.
Talk to your doctor to see if Avodart is right for you before exploring discount options.

Avodart Side Effects

Common Side Effects of Avodart

  • Erectile dysfunction (ED)
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Decreased amount of fluid during ejaculation
  • Decreased sperm count
  • Breast tissue changes

Serious Side Effects of Avodart

  • Allergic reaction to the drug, including hives and other severe skin reactions
  • Fast-growing and potentially deadlier forms of prostate cancer
  • Birth defects in male fetuses

Rare Side Effects of Avodart

  • Pain and swelling in the testicles
  • Heart failure
  • Dizziness

Avodart Interactions

Tell your doctor and pharmacist all the medications you’re taking.
This includes prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, vitamins and other dietary supplements (nutritional shakes, protein powders, etc.), herbal remedies, and illegal and recreational drugs.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if Avodart’s safe to take with the following drugs:

Avodart and Alcohol

Alcohol can dehydrate you and make urinating difficult.
If you already have BPH, drinking while taking Avodart could worsen your symptoms.
Avoid or limit drinking alcohol while taking Avodart.

Avodart and Grapefruit Juice

Grapefruit juice slows down how quickly the body breaks down Avodart, which could cause Avodart blood levels to rise dangerously high.
Avoid eating grapefruit or the juice while taking Avodart.

Avodart Dosage

Avodart comes in capsules that contain 0.5 milligrams (mg) of dutasteride.
You can take Avodart with or without food, but don’t crush, chew, or break open the capsule.
Swallow the capsule whole.
Do not take more than one, 0.5 mg capsule a day unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Avodart Overdose

If you think you may have taken too much Avodart, contact an emergency room at 911 or your local poison control center at (800) 222-1222.

Avodart Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Avodart, try to take it as soon as you remember.
If it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next one at the regular time.
Don’t double your dose to make up for a missed dose.

Avodart Pictures

Avodart 0.5 mg, yellow, capsule