Avodart 0.5 mg (Dutasteride)
Avodart Generic: The generic Avodart medication is called Dutasteride. For affordable Avodart prices, dutasteride is an option that costs less and contains the same active ingredient, and has identical effects and side-effects as those exhibited with this medication.
Avodart treats: Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)
Dosage: Take Avodart 0.5 mg once per day or as directed by your health care practitioner.
Store this medication at room temperature away from light and moisture. BPH, if left untreated, can result in:
Drug Interactions: For a complete list of drug interactions with Avodart (dutasteride), ask your doctor or pharmacist. There are 73 mild interactions and 14 moderate interactions with this medication, and no known severe interactions with this medication.
Avodart side effects:
- Decreased libido
- Decreased sperm count
- Testicle pain/swelling
- Enlarged breast size and breast tenderness
- Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
- Low volume of ejaculatory fluid
Serious side effects (rare):
- Dizziness
- Cardiac failure (shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling of extremities, heart palpitations)
- Prostate cancer (difficulty urinating, loss of bowel control, painful urination, blood in urine)
- Neoplasms/Breast cancer (anemia, shortness of breath, nausea/diarrhea, loss of appetite)
- Depression/Psychiatric disorders
If you experience any symptoms that may signify a cancerous growth or any direct side effect from this medication that’s having a severe effect, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor for advice on how to proceed with this medication.
Hypersensitivity/Allergic reactions: This medication is classified as an alpha-reductase inhibitor. As such, if you are aware of any hypersensitivity to alpha-reductase inhibitors or any similar compound, it is important to notify your doctor or pharmacist. If you suffer any of the symptoms not described above, you may be allergic to this medication and should contact a poison control center or emergency medical services right once. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to consist of:
- Rashes
- Itchy skin
- Swelling, especially of the face, tongue, and throat
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
Note: Avodart can be absorbed through the skin, so if you have a hypersensitivity or are contraindicated for Avodart use otherwise, Do NOT handle Avodart capsules, especially broken or leaking capsules, and take precautions to prevent others around you who are contraindicated from coming into contact with Avodart.
Other Contraindications:
Pregnant/nursing women:
Avodart is dangerous to young women, as it can damage the female reproductive system and/or harm unborn children or newborn babies. Nursing women, pregnant women, and women who are considering conception should be extremely careful around Dutasteride.
Blood donations:
Do not donate blood if you are taking Avodart medications or if you have recently stopped taking Avodart medications until 6 months past the last dose. It is necessary to avoid blood donations to prevent blood transfusions from being administered to pregnant women, potentially causing fetal harm.
High-Grade Prostate Cancer:
In some rare cases, Avodart has been known to cause prostate cancer in some individuals. Men who are at risk for prostate cancer are advised to check up with their doctors often to prevent serious conditions from developing or worsening.
Avodart vs. Flomax
A similar drug to Avodart is called Flomax (generic tamsulosin), which works to treat BPH differently. While Avodart blocks the hormones that cause enlarged prostates, Flomax reduces symptoms of BPH by blocking neurotransmitters that cause the muscles around the prostate to constrict.
While Flomax and Avodart are both effective at helping patients suffering from BPH, they have very different applications. These medications can be used on their own or alongside each other to treat BPH. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about which combination of medications are right for you.
Avodart (dutasteride) | Flomax (tamsulosin) |
Effects |
|
Relieves BPH symptoms | Relieves BPH symptoms |
Makes it easier to urinate | Makes it easier to urinate |
Reduces prostate size | Relaxes muscles surrounding the urinary system |
Can take up to 6 months before it starts to take affect | Effects can be seen as early as 3-5 days after beginning treatment |
Less severe side effects than other BPH medications
|
|
Side effects |
|
Erectile Dysfunction | Abnormal ejaculations |
Decreased amount of ejaculatory fluid | Decreased amount of ejaculatory fluid |
Lowered sperm count | Dizziness |
Swelling and/or pain in testicles | Weakness |
Breast tenderness | Drowsiness |
Dizziness | Runny nose |
Cardiac failure | Coughing fits |
Prostate cancer | Back pain |
Neoplasms | Chest pain |
Psychiatric disorders | Nausea |
Rashes | Diarrhea |
Itching | Blurred vision |
Angioedema | Insomnia |
Shortness of breath | Reduced libido |
Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) | |
Headaches | |
Contraindications and other risk factors: |
|
Lower levels of prostate-specific antigens | Must follow strict dosage schedule and is dangerous to stop using abruptly |
Can cause or worsen prostate cancer | Is contraindicated alongside use of hypotension (low blood pressure) medications |
Contraindicated for other urinary tract or reproductive diseases | Patients with sulfa allergies may be allergic to Flomax |
Contraindicated for pregnant women | May have complications for those who require surgery for cataracts or glaucoma |