* Generic Name: dutasteride
* Brand Name: Avodart
* What is dutasteride (Avodart)?
* What are the possible side effects of dutasteride (Avodart)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
dutasteride (Avodart)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
dutasteride (Avodart)?
* How should I take dutasteride (Avodart)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Avodart)?
* What happens if I overdose (Avodart)?
* What should I avoid while taking dutasteride (Avodart)?
* What other drugs will affect dutasteride (Avodart)?
* Where can I get more information (Avodart)?
What is dutasteride (Avodart)?
Dutasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone to
dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is involved in the
development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Dutasteride is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
in men with an enlarged prostate. Dutasteride helps improve urinary
flow and may also reduce your need for prostate surgery later on.
Dutasteride 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.
Dutasteride may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What are the possible side effects of dutasteride (Avodart)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects may include:
* decreased libido (sex drive);
* decreased amount of semen released during sex;
* impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection); or
* breast tenderness or enlargement.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about dutasteride
(Avodart)?
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.
Although dutasteride is not for use by women, this medication 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.
Do not chew, crush, or open a dutasteride capsule. Swallow the capsule
whole. Dutasteride can irritate your lips, mouth, or throat if the
capsule has been broken or opened before you swallow it.
If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a
leaking capsule, wash the area with soap and water right away.
Before taking dutasteride, tell your doctor if you have ever had an
allergic reaction to this medication, or to a similar medicine called
finasteride (Propecia, Proscar).
Using dutasteride may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer.
Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have other
conditions that would prevent you from safely using dutasteride.
Do not donate blood while taking dutasteride and for at least 6 months
after your treatment ends. Dutasteride can be carried in the blood and
could cause birth defects if a pregnant women receives a
transfusion with blood that contains dutasteride.
Avodart Patient Information including How Should I Take
Enlarged Prostate (BPH): Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Pictures Slideshow
Prostate Cancer Symptoms, Tests, Treatments
Prostate Cancer Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the Enlarged Prostate Quiz!
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dutasteride
(Avodart)?
Using dutasteride may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer.
Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have other
conditions that would prevent you from safely using dutasteride.
Before taking dutasteride, tell your doctor if you have ever had an
allergic reaction to this medication, or to a similar medicine called
finasteride (Propecia, Proscar).
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.
Although dutasteride is not for use by women, this medication 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 should I take dutasteride (Avodart)?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or
smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions
on your prescription label.
Take dutasteride with a full glass of water.
Dutasteride can be taken with or without food.
Do not chew, crush, or open a dutasteride capsule. Swallow the capsule
whole. Dutasteride can irritate your lips, mouth, or throat if the
capsule has been broken or opened before you swallow it.
It may take up to 6 months of using this medicine before your symptoms
improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Do
not stop taking dutasteride without talking to your doctor.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing
harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your doctor
will also test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check
for prostate cancer. Visit your doctor regularly.
Store dutasteride at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Dutasteride capsules may become soft and leaky, or they may stick
together if they get too hot. Do not use any capsule that is cracked or
leaking. Call your pharmacist for instructions on how to safely dispose
of a leaking dutasteride capsule.
Avodart Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Enlarged Prostate (BPH): Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Pictures Slideshow
Prostate Cancer Symptoms, Tests, Treatments
Prostate Cancer Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the Enlarged Prostate Quiz!
What happens if I miss a dose (Avodart)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Avodart)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking dutasteride (Avodart)?
Do not donate blood while taking dutasteride and for at least 6 months
after your treatment ends. Dutasteride can be carried in the blood and
could cause birth defects if a pregnant women receives a transfusion
with blood that contains dutasteride.
What other drugs will affect dutasteride (Avodart)?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
* conivaptan (Vaprisol);
* imatinib (Gleevec);
* isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);
* an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin),
erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin,
Pediazole), or telithromycin (Ketek);
* an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox),
ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig), or
voriconazole (Vfend);
* an antidepressant such as nefazodone;
* heart or blood pressure medication such as nicardipine
(Cardene) or quinidine (Quin-G); or
* HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz),
delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir
(Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir
(Norvir, Kaletra).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with
dutasteride. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This
includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products.
Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information (Avodart)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about dutasteride.
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