Dutasteride (By Mouth)

Dutasteride (doo-TAS-teer-ide)

Treats an enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH).

Brand Name(s):

Avodart
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to dutasteride or similar medicines such as Propecia® or Proscar®. Women and children should not use this medicine.

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid Filled Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using Tagamet®, ketoconazole (Nizoral®), ritonavir (Norvir™), verapamil (Calan®), diltiazem (Cardizem®), ciprofloxacin (Cipro®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Women should avoid touching or handling this medicine. This medicine can be absorbed through the skin and may harm an unborn baby. If any of this medicine gets on the skin of a woman, wash the area immediately with soap and water.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have liver disease.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• Do not donate blood for at least 6 months after you stop taking this medicine. If your blood is donated to a woman or child, it may cause problems.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• This medicine may affect the results of certain blood tests, such as prostate specific antigen (PSA). Your doctor may be testing this regularly. If so, you will need to have new blood tests done 3 to 6 months after you start taking this medicine.
• This medicine usually does not affect normal sexual abilities in most men. You may notice that you ejaculate less fluid when you have sex.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Breasts feeling tender or getting bigger
• Trouble having sex

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.