What is Dutasteride for:
This medication is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, prescribed for an enlarged prostate treatment. It blocks the production of a natural substance that enlarges the prostate and reduces the need for surgery.
How does Dutasteride work:
Dutasteride lowers prostate growth by lowering testosterone levels. It may lower the size of the prostate and help lower the signs. It helps hair regrowth and slows hair loss.
How should Dutasteride be used:
Adult: PO- 500 mcg daily (treatment for 6 month may be required before benefit is obtained). It comes as a capsule to take by mouth, with or without food.
Common side effects of Dutasteride :
Enlarged breasts. Change in sex ability. This most often goes back to normal. A fast growing prostate cancer may rarely happen.
What do I do if I miss a dose
Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses. Do not change the dose or stop this drug. Talk with the doctor.
What precautions should I take when taking Dutasteride :
Alert your doctor immediately if you are currently taking or have recently taken, within the last 2 weeks, a medicine called a MAO inhibitor. Examples of such medicines are isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline and tranylcypromine. Duloxetine should not be taken within 2 weeks of stopping a MAO inhibitor, and a MAO inhibitor should not be started within 5 days of stopping Duloxetine. Alert your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, epilepsy (seizures fits) or an eye disease called glaucoma. You must inform your doctor if you or your family have a history of any psychiatric problems, especially if you have bipolar disorder (also known as manic-depression). Inform your doctor if you drink alcohol, especially if you drink frequently or in large amounts. Alert your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed while being treated with Duloxetine.