Avodart (Dutasteride) 0.5mg

Avodart general information

What is Avodart used for?

Avodart capsules 0.5mg are used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate) to shrink the prostate and reduce the risk of urinary retention caused by restricted urine flow as the prostate becomes enlarged.  Improving symptoms of BPH with Avodart capsules 0.5mg also reduces the need for surgery.  Avodart capsules 0.5mg can be used as monotherapy or combination therapy with another medication (alpha blocker).  As a side effect of its intended use, Avodart capsules 0.5mg are also used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) by increasing hair growth and preventing further hair loss from all areas of the scalp, including the front.  This can reverse balding in men with mild to moderate hair loss but does not restore hair that has been lost for a long time.  Avodart capsules 0.5mg are not used to treat hair loss in women.

How does Avodart work?

Avodart capsules 0.5mg contains Dutasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor that specifically inhibits the action of both forms (type I and type II) of the enzyme 5α-reductase.  This enzyme converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the androgen primarily responsible for development and growth of the prostate gland.  DHT can also cause benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate).  Dutasteride in Avodart capsules 0.5mg reduces the levels of DHT in the blood, so that prostate growth is no longer stimulated in men with BPH allowing the enlarged prostate to shrink.  DHT, which is also found in hair follicles, is the androgen responsible for hair loss, as it causes hair follicles in the scalp to gradually shrink producing smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle.  Avodart 0.5 mg capsules reverses the balding process as it blocks the build-up of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, allowing the hair to grow normally. 

What does Avodart contain?

Avodart capsules 0.5mg contain the active ingredient dustasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate) and reverse the balding process in male pattern hair loss.  They also contain: mono- and diglycerides of caprylic/capric acid, butylhydroxytoluene (E321).  The capsule shell contains: gelatine, glycerol, titanium dioxide (E171), iron oxide yellow (E172), triglycerides, medium chain lecithin (may contain soya oil).

Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with Avodart

Avodart capsules 0.5mg contain Dutasteride 0.5 mg, a 5α-reductase inhibitor used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate).  Dutasteride in Avodart capsules 0.5mg specifically inhibits the action of both forms (type I and type II) of the enzyme 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the androgen primarily responsible for development and growth of the prostate gland.  Avodart capsules 0.5mg reduce the levels of DHT in the blood, so that prostate growth is no longer stimulated and the prostate shrinks, reducing the risk of urinary retention and restricted urine flow caused by an enlarged prostate.  Treating BPH with Avodart capsules 0.5mg improves symptoms and reduces the need for surgery. 

Treating hair loss with Avodart

Avodart capsules 0.5mg contain dutasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor used to treat male pattern hair loss.  Dutasteride in Avodart capsules 0.5mg specifically inhibits the action of both forms (type I and type II) of the enzyme 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is found in hair follicles and is the androgen that is responsible for hair loss.  DHT causes hair follicles in the scalp to gradually shrink producing smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle.  Avodart 0.5 mg capsules reverses the balding process as it blocks the build-up of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, allowing the hair to grow normally. 

What are the side effects of Avodart?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Avodart capsules 0.5mg include, temporary impotence (whilst continuing on treatment) and low libido.  Less common side effects include breast tenderness and enlargement (gynecomastia) and itchy skin rash.

When should Avodart not be used?

You should not use Avodart capsules 0.5mg if you:

• a woman, Avodart is not intended for use by women and can be harmful to an unborn child
• allergic to dutasteride or any other medication containing dutasteride or any other ingredient of Avodart
• are taking medication that may interact with Avodart and may increase your risk for side-effects, including verapamil or diltiazem (for high blood pressure), ritonavir or indinavir (for HIV), itraconazole or ketaconazole (for fungal infections) nefazodone (an antidepressant).

How should Avodart be taken?

You should take Avodart capsules 0.5mg with a glass of water once a day with or without food.  Do not chew the capsule or open it, as this may make your mouth or throat sore.  It can take six months or more for Avodart capsules 0.5mg  to improve symptoms of BPH, as the prostate shrinks slowly and if you stop taking your Avodart capsules 0.5mg during this time, your prostate make start to grow again.  It can take several months for new hair to grow and if you stop taking your Avodart capsules 0.5mg tablets during this time, hair loss may resume. You should continue to take Avodart capsules 0.5mg for as long as your doctor recommends, which may be for three to six months or longer. 

How long should you take Avodart?

You should continue to take Avodart capsules 0.5mg for as long as your doctor recommends, which may be for three to six months or longer. 

Missed dose of Avodart

If you miss a dose of Avodart capsules 0.5mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Avodart be stored?

You should store your Avodart below 25°C in a cool dry place.