Dutasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body.
DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Dutasteride is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged
prostate. Dutasteride helps improve urinary flow and may also reduce your need for prostate surgery
later on.
Dutasteride is sometimes given with another medication called tamsulosin (Flomax). Be sure to
read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications.
Dutasteride may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dutasteride?
Before taking dutasteride, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this
medication, or to a similar medicine called finasteride (Propecia, Proscar).
Dutasteride should
never
be taken by a woman or a child. Dutasteride
can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle dutasteride
capsules.
Although dutasteride is not for use by women, this medication can cause birth defects if a
woman is exposed to it during pregnancy.
Dutasteride capsules should not be handled by
a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant.
If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a leaking capsule,
wash the area with soap and water right away.
How should I take dutasteride?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take dutasteride with a full glass of water.
Dutasteride can be taken with or without food.
Do not chew, crush, or open a dutasteride capsule. Swallow the capsule whole.
Dutasteride can irritate your lips, mouth, or throat if the capsule has been broken or opened before you
swallow it.
It may take up to 6 months of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best
results, keep using the medication as directed. Do not stop taking dutasteride without talking to your
doctor.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your prostate will need to be checked on a
regular basis. Your PSA (prostate-specific antigen) may also be tested to help detect prostate cancer.
It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store dutasteride at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Dutasteride capsules
may become soft and leaky, or they may stick together if they get too hot. Do not use any capsule that
is cracked or leaking. Call your pharmacist for instructions on how to safely dispose of a leaking
dutasteride capsule.
What happens if I miss a dose of dutasteride?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about dutasteride?
Your pharmacist has information about dutasteride written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of dutasteride?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects may include:
decreased libido (sex drive);
decreased amount of semen released during sex;
impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection); or
breast tenderness or enlargement.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about dutasteride?
Before taking dutasteride, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this
medication, or to a similar medicine called finasteride (Propecia, Proscar).
Do not chew, crush, or open a dutasteride capsule. Swallow the capsule whole.
Dutasteride can irritate your lips, mouth, or throat if the capsule has been broken or opened before you
swallow it.
Dutasteride should
never
be taken by a woman or a child. Dutasteride
can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle dutasteride
capsules.
Although dutasteride is not for use by women, this medication can cause birth defects if a
woman is exposed to it during pregnancy.
Dutasteride capsules should not be handled by
a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant.
If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a leaking capsule,
wash the area with soap and water right away.
Do not donate blood while taking dutasteride and for at least 6 months after your treatment
ends. Dutasteride can be carried in the blood and could cause birth defects if a pregnant women
receives a transfusion with blood that contains dutasteride.
What should I avoid while taking dutasteride?
Do not donate blood while taking dutasteride and for at least 6 months after your treatment
ends. Dutasteride can be carried in the blood and could cause birth defects if a pregnant women
receives a transfusion with blood that contains dutasteride.
What other drugs will affect dutasteride?
The following drugs can interact with dutasteride. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin),
dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or
telithromycin (Ketek);
an antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex
Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);
an antidepressant such as nefazodone;
heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem
(Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex,
Quin-Release), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); or
HIV/AIDS medicine such as amprenavir (Agenerase),
atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan),
nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), or ritonavir (Norvir).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
dutasteride. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of dutasteride?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009