Dutasteride Patient Information
Dutasteride Facts
| Generic Name: | Dutasteride |
|---|---|
| Brand Names: | Avodart™ (GlaxoSmithKline) Dutas (Generic by Dr Reddy's) Duprost (Generic by Cipla) Dutagen (Generic by Ranbaxy) |
| Dosage: | 0.5mg |
| Medicine Form: | Soft Gelatin Capsules |
| Availabilty: | Non-Controlled, Prescription Medicine |
| FDA Approved: | November 20th, 2001 |
What is the most important information I should know about Dutasteride?
- Dutasteride is for use by men only.
- Women who are or who may become pregnant must not handle dutasteride capsules. The medication can be absorbed through the skin and may cause birth defects in the unborn baby.
- Do not donate blood until at least 6 months have passed since the last dose of dutasteride is taken to prevent pregnant women from receiving dutasteride through blood transfusion.
What is Dutasteride?
- 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 may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dutasteride?
- Before taking dutasteride, tell your doctor if you have liver disease. You may not be able to take dutasteride, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy.
- Dutasteride is for use by men only.
- Do not handle this medication if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. Dutasteride is in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it will cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Women who are or who may become pregnant must not take dutasteride and must not handle dutasteride capsules. The medication can be absorbed through the skin and may cause birth defects in the unborn baby.
- It is not known whether dutasteride passes into breast milk. Dutasteride is not intended for use by women. Do not take this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take dutasteride?
- Take dutasteride exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Dutasteride is for use by men only.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- Swallow the capsules whole. Do not chew, crush or break the capsules.
- Dutasteride can be taken with or without food.
- Do not stop taking dutasteride without first talking to your doctor. While some men have fewer problems and symptoms after 3 months of treatment with dutasteride, a treatment period of at least 6 months is usually necessary to see if treatment with dutasteride will be beneficial.
- Store dutasteride at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Dutasteride is supplied in soft gelatin capsules that may become soft and leak or may stick to other capsules if kept at high temperatures. If the capsules are cracked or leaking, do not use them and contact your pharmacist.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember during the same day. However, if you don't remember until the next day, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of the medication.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention.
- Symptoms of a dutasteride overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking Dutasteride?
- Do not donate blood until at least 6 months have passed since the last dose of dutasteride is taken to prevent pregnant women from receiving dutasteride through blood transfusion.
What are the possible side effects of dutasteride?
- Stop taking dutasteride and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives)
- Other, less serious side effects have been reported but usually resolve with continued treatment. Continue to take dutasteride and notify your doctor if you experience:
- decreased libido (sex drive)
- decreased amount of semen released during sex
- impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection)
- breast tenderness or enlargement
- Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Dutasteride?
- Do not take dutasteride without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- a protease inhibitor such as amprenavir (Agenerase), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase)
- itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- verapamil (Calan, Calan SR, Covera-HS, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM)
- diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Cardizem SR, Cartia XT, Dilacor XR, Tiazac, others)
- cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB, others)
- erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Eryc, E.E.S., others)
- You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
- Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with dutasteride. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
Where can I get more information about Dutasteride?
- Your pharmacist has additional information about dutasteride written for health professionals that you may read.
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- The information in this leaflet is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.