Drug name
Avodart (Dutasteride)
Drug Instructions
Avodart is prescribed for treating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as well as enlargement of the prostate gland. The medicine helps to decrease the risk of urinary blockage and the necessity for prostate surgery. Avodart may also be prescribed along with other medicines (eg, tamsulosin).
Intake Instructions
Avodart is prescribed for taking under your doctors’ control.
You can take Avodart with or without food.
Please swallow Avodart whole. Breaking, crushing, or chewing the medicine before swallowing.
Please note that it may take 3 to 6 months to see the improvement from Avodart.
Please inform your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of these are applicable to you.
Drug Category and Mechanism
Avodart represents a 5 alpha-reductase enzyme inhibitor. It functions by decreasing levels of a hormone named dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which stands as a major reason of prostate growth. Decreasing DHT leads to pressure of the increased prostate gland.
Missed Dose
Should you miss a dose of this medicine please take it asap. If you find you have missed the previous dosage when it is almost time for your next dose, you should better skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Taking double or extra doses at once is not recommended. If more than one dose is missed, please contact your attending medical doctor or health care provider.
Storage
The best conditions to keep the medicine at are to store them at 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) at room temperature. The container where the medicine is stored should be tightly closed. It should be also strictly protected from moisture, heat and light.
Please make sure to keep Avodart out of the reach of children and pets.
Safety Precautions
Taking the medicine is not recommended in case:
you have allergic reaction to any component in Avodart or other 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors (e.g., finasteride) ;
you are pregnant / plan to become pregnant
Contact your attending medical doctor or health care provider if any of these are applicable to you:
Crucial Information:
Avodart is engrossed through the skin. Women who are pregnant/ plan to become pregnant must not handle crushed or broken tablets as it may cause damage to an unborn child. If no contact is performed with leaking capsules, the contact area should be necessarily rinsed with soap and water after which please consult your health care provider on the issue.
Avodart remains in the blood stream for 4 to 6 months after you give up taking it. Please never donate blood for at least 6 months after your recent dose of Avodart to prevent outfall through blood transference to a pregnant woman.
Avodart may make the level of your volume of expelling. This does not occur to intersect with normal sexual performance.
Avodart can have an impact on a blood test named prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for the screening of prostate cancer. In case you have a PSA test performed, please inform your health care provider that you are taking Avodart.
Lab tests may be done to regulate your advance or to verify for side effects. Make sure to maintain all doctor and lab appointments.
Please note that Avodart is not recommended for use in children; secureness and potency have not been yet confirmed.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
Avodart may cause damage to the fetus. Please make sure not to use Avodart in case you are pregnant. If you think you are pregnant, contact your attending medical doctor or health care provider. It is yet not explored if Avodart outfalls into breast milk. Please do not breast-feed at the period of taking Avodart.
Probable Side Effects
Please discuss with your health care provider if any of the mentioned most COMMON side effects afterglow or become or causing bother:
breast increase / frailty, decreased sexual function; low level volume of ejaculate.
Please inform your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of these are applicable to you.
Austere allergic reactions (eruption; hives; difficult breathing; tenseness in the thorax; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).
Extra Information
An important note: This medicine is for you only. Sharing this medicine with others is not recommended.
If your symptoms do not show improvement or if they worsen, please make sure to check the matter with your doctor.