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

  Sexual problems (such as decreased sexual interest/ability, decrease in the amount of semen/sperm), testicle pain/swelling, increased breast size, or breast tenderness may occur. Sexual problems have continued in some men even after stopping treatment. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed Avodart because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Avodart do not have serious side effects. A very serious allergic reaction to Avodart is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction,rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

  List of Avodart side effects

• 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.