Dutasteride 0.5mg

5 Alpha-Reductase Inhibitor

CSA NA – FDA Approved – REMS (N) – Can Ship

Dutasteride/Avodart is a modified analogue of testosterone that is a selective inhibitor of type one (in liver and skin tissue) and two (in reproductive tissue) 5 alpha-reductase.  Inhibiting 5 alpha-reductase reduces the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone which is a causative agent in benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Dutasteride/Avodart is indicated for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)

Before starting Dutasteride/Avodart make sure your physician is aware of any allergies, or medications you currently take, if you have liver disease, or any risk factors for prostate cancer.  Investigation for obstructive uropathy should be done prior to treatment as this medication is not indicated for such.

0.5mg once daily

How to Take: Follow instructions provided by physician/pharmacy label, swallow whole, take consistently at same times each day, store at room temperature

You Need to Avoid: Do not stop this medication if there is no immediate relief.  This medication works by shrinking the prostate over time to increase urinary flow so be patient.

Decreased libido, gynecomastia (growth/tenderness of breast tissue in men), increase of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and thyroid stimulating hormone, impotence 

Note this is not a complete list of side effects, only relatively common ones (under 10% of patients experience any of above)

1. What do I do if side effects are intolerable?
   If side effects are causing a lot of distress speak to your physician as soon as possible to discuss options.
2. Does this medication cause prostate cancer?
   This medication results in lower rates of overall cases of prostate cancer however it does increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer.  This could be because it lowers prostate specific antigen (PSA) which is a common test used to screen for prostate cancer.  Normally a high PSA level would be cause for investigation however if it is artificially low from medication it may be missed until it has progressed to a higher grade.  So overall instances are lowered but the remaining cases are harder to catch.