Dutasteride
About
Dutasteride belongs to a class of drugs known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors primarily used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (overgrowth of the prostate gland, a gland situated between the bladder and penis). Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common illness as men get older. An inflamed prostate gland can cause unpleasant urinary symptoms, like preventing the urine flow out of the bladder. It can also cause urinary tract, bladder, or kidney problems.
Dutasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor. It blocks an enzyme that is needed to change testosterone (male hormone) to another hormone that causes the growth of the prostate (a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis). As a result, it helps to shrink the prostate (a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis) and reduce the symptoms like problems in passing urine.
Take Dutasteride as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Dutasteride for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical conditions. You may experience low sexual desire, allergic reaction, and impotence (inability to get and keep an erection firm sufficient for sex.). Most of these side effects of Dutasteride do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Before starting Dutasteride, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy to any part of Dutasteride. If you have severe liver disease, then inform your doctor while taking Dutasteride. This Dutasteride is used for men only. Do not use it for women because Dutasteride is not approved for women. If you are a woman using Dutasteride, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Uses of Dutasteride
Medicinal Benefits
Dutasteride belongs to a class of drugs known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors primarily used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (overgrowth of the prostate gland, a gland situated between the bladder and penis). It blocks an enzyme that is needed to change testosterone (male hormone) to another hormone that causes the growth of the prostate (a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis). As a result, it helps to shrink the prostate (a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis) and reduce the symptoms like problems in passing urine.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Dutasteride
- Low sexual desire
- Allergic reaction
- Impotence (inability to get and keep an erection firm sufficient for sex)
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before starting Dutasteride, please inform your doctor if you have any allergy to any part of Dutasteride. If you have severe liver disease, then inform your doctor while taking Dutasteride. This Dutasteride is used for men only. Do not use it for women because Dutasteride is not approved for women. If you are a woman using Dutasteride, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Do not donate blood while you are taking this Dutasteride and for at least six months after you stop taking it. Do not stop taking Dutasteride without informing your doctor first. You may take up to 6 months or more to observe an effect. This Dutasteride is not recommended for the child. Therefore, do not give Dutasteride to the children.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Dutasteride may interact with blood pressure lowering pills (verapamil or diltiazem), HIV medicines (ritonavir or indinavir), fungal infections (itraconazole or ketoconazole), an antidepressant (nefazodone), enlarged prostate, gland situated between the bladder and penis (prazosin).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid grapefruit while taking this Dutasteride.
Drug-Disease Interaction: People affected with liver disease should not take this Dutasteride.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedNo interaction was found/ established. Please consult your doctor before using Dutasteride.
Pregnancy
unsafeDutasteride is not for use by women, and this Dutasteride can cause birth deficiencies if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Dutasteride capsules should not be touched by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. If a woman comes into contact with this Dutasteride from a leaking capsule by mistake, immediately wash the area with water and soap.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Dutasteride passes into the breast milk and harms a baby during breastfeeding. If you are a nursing mother, please consult the doctor before using Dutasteride.
Driving
safe if prescribedDutasteride is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
unsafeThis Dutasteride is not safe in patients with liver disease.
Kidney
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of kidney diseases. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Dutasteride.
Children
unsafeDutasteride is not recommended for use in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- It may take 3 to 6 months to see the full useful effect of Dutasteride. Hence, continue taking the Dutasteride as advised by your doctor.
- Dutasteride is usually well tolerated. However, it may give some mild sexual side effects like low sexual drive.
- Do not donate blood for six months after taking the last dose of Dutasteride.
- Avoid grapefruit while taking this Dutasteride.
Special Advise
Use a condom during sexual intercourse. Dutasteride has been found in the semen of men taking capsules. If your partner is or may be pregnant, you must avoid exposing her to your semen as Dutasteride may affect the normal development of a male baby.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Benign prostatic hyperplasia: It is a common illness as men get older. An inflamed prostate gland can cause unpleasant urinary symptoms, like preventing the urine flow out of the bladder. It can also cause urinary tract, bladder, or kidney problems. There are some useful treatments for prostate gland (a walnut-sized gland situated between the bladder and the penis) enlargement, including medicines, slightly invasive treatments, and surgery. To choose the best choice, you and your doctor will consider your symptoms, the size of your prostate (a walnut-sized gland situated between the bladder and the penis), other health situations you might have, and your preferences.
FAQs
Dutasteride starts working within a few days of taking this Dutasteride, and you may observe a continuous improvement in your symptoms. However, for a few patients, this Dutasteride may take around 3-6 months to work. You should keep taking this Dutasteride as recommended by your doctor.
Dutasteride is not for use by women, and this Dutasteride can cause birth deficiencies if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Dutasteride capsules should not be touched by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. If a woman comes into contact with this Dutasteride from a leaking capsule by mistake, immediately wash the area with water and soap.
Take the Dutasteride as soon as you can but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take more than the prescribed dose at one time.
Do not donate blood while taking Dutasteride and for at least six months after your treatment stops. Dutasteride can be carried in the blood and could produce birth deficiencies if a pregnant woman receives a blood transfusion with blood that comprises Dutasteride.
It is not safe to take other medicines while taking Dutasteride because few medicines can affect your blood levels of other medicines you take, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective. Inform your doctor about all your present medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
