Avodart

Avodart Drug Information

• Avodart Overview

  Avodart is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia-BPH). It works by reducing the size of the enlarged prostate. This helps to relieve symptoms of BPH such as difficulty in beginning the flow of urine, weak stream, and the need to urinate frequently or urgently (including during the middle of the night). It may also reduce the need for surgery to treat BPH. Dutasteride is not approved for prevention of prostate cancer. It may slightly increase the risk of developing a very serious form of prostate cancer. Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks. Avodart should not be used by women or children.

• How to Use Avodart

  Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking Avodart and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Avodart by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Swallow the medication whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules. Use Avodart regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Since Avodart can be absorbed through the skin and may harm an unborn baby, women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should not handle Avodart. It may take 3 to 6 months to notice an improvement in symptoms. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen.

• Avodart Precautions

  Before taking dutasteride, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to finasteride; or if you have any other allergies. Avodart may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Avodart, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Do not donate blood while you are taking Avodart and for at least 6 months after you stop taking it. This will prevent the possibility of your blood being given to a pregnant woman. Avodart should not be used in women, especially during pregnancy or breast-feeding. It may harm an unborn or breast-feeding baby. Consult your doctor for more details.

• Avodart Misdose

  If you miss a dose of Avodart, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

• Avodart Interactions

  The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time. This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. These drug interactions are possible, but do not always occur. Your doctor or pharmacist can often prevent or manage interactions by changing how you use your medications or by close monitoring. To help your doctor and pharmacist give you the best care, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with Avodart. While using Avodart, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any other medicines you are using without your doctor's approval. Keep a list of all the products you use. Share the list with your doctor and pharmacist to reduce your risk for serious medication problems.

• Avodart Side Effects

  What are Avodart side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Avodart may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Avodart as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Avodart

  The side effects of Avodart may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Avodart. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Avodart may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Avodart, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Avodart.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Avodart, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Avodart and the side effects associated with Avodart are described in the following:

  Common Avodart Side Effects

  Severe

  Less Severe

  • libido changes
  • erectile dysfunction
  • disorder of ejaculation

  Less Frequent Avodart Side Effects

  Severe

  • high-grade prostate cancer

  Less Severe

  • oligospermia
  • asthenozoospermia

  Rare or Very Rare Avodart Side Effects

  Severe

  • gynecomastia
  • skin rash
  • localized edema
  • angioedema
  • malignant tumor of male breast

  Less Severe

  • mastalgia
  • pruritus of skin
  • urticaria
  • dizziness
  • decrease ejaculate volume
  • depression
  • testicular pain
  • testicular swelling

• Avodart Storage

  Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Dutasteride capsules may soften and leak if stored at high temperatures. If your capsules crack and leak, do not use them. If your skin comes in contact with the leaking capsules, wash the area right away with soap and water. Contact your pharmacist for more information. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Avodart when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.