 is a prescription medication used alone or with another medication, tamsulosin (Flomax), to treat an enlarged prostate, known medically as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Avodart belongs to a group of drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It works by blocking the production of a natural substance that causes prostate enlargement.This medication comes in soft gelatin capsule form and is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Avodart should be swallowed whole. "Pin It")
Avodart Overview
Avodart (generic: dutasteride) is a prescription medication used alone or with another medication, tamsulosin (Flomax), to treat an enlarged prostate, known medically as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Avodart belongs to a group of drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It works by blocking the production of a natural substance that causes prostate enlargement.
This medication comes in soft gelatin capsule form and is usually taken once a day, with or without food. Avodart should be swallowed whole.
Common side effects include a decrease in sex drive (libido), trouble having or maintaining an erection (impotence), or ejaculation problems. You should not donate blood while taking Avodart or 6 months after you have stopped taking Avodart.
Uses of Avodart
Avodart is a prescription medicine used to treat an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Symptoms of BPH include:
- frequent urination (especially at night)
- inability to empty your bladder completely
- stops and starts in the urine flow
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects of Avodart
Avodart may cause rare and serious allergic reactions including:
- swelling of your face, tongue, or throat
- serious skin reactions, such as skin peeling
The most common side effects of Avodart include:
- trouble having or maintaining an erection (impotence)
- a decrease in sex drive (libido)
- ejaculation problems
- enlarged or painful breasts. If you notice breast lumps or nipple discharge, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
Taking Avodart may increase the risk that you will develop a type of cancer that spreads and grows more quickly than other types of prostate cancer. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking Avodart.
This is not a complete list of Avodart side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Avodart Interactions
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antifungals such as ketoconazole (Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet); ciprofloxacin (Cipro); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); ritonavir, (Norvir), troleandomycin (TAO); and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
Avodart Precautions
You should not donate blood while taking Avodart or for 6 months after you have stopped Avodart. This is important to prevent pregnant women from receiving Avodart through blood transfusions.
Do Not Take Avodart if you are:
- pregnant or could become pregnant. Avodart may harm your unborn baby. Pregnant women should not handle Avodart capsules as touching the contents of the capsules may harm the unborn baby. The contact area should be washed immediately with soap and water. Call your doctor right away.
- a child or a teenager.
- allergic to dutasteride or any of the ingredients in Avodart.
- allergic to other 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, for example, PROSCAR (finasteride) Tablets.
Avodart Food Interactions
Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Avodart there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Avodart.
Inform MD
Before taking Avodart,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Avodart, finasteride (Propecia, Proscar), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Avodart capsules. Ask your doctor or check the manufacturer's patient information for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease or prostate cancer.
you should know that Avodart is for use only in men. Women, especially those who are or may become pregnant, should not handle Avodart capsules. Touching the contents of the capsules may harm the fetus. If a woman who is pregnant or who could become pregnant accidentally touches leaking capsules, she should wash the area with soap and water immediately and call her doctor.
you should know that you should not donate blood while you are taking Avodart and for 6 months after you stop taking this medication.
Avodart and Pregnancy
Avodart is for use only in men. Avodart should not be used during pregnancy. See "Precautions" section.
Avodart and Lactation
Avodart is for use only in men. Avodart should not be used while breastfeeding.
Avodart Usage
Avodart comes as a capsule to be taken by mouth once a day. Swallow Avodart capsules whole. Do not crush, chew, or open Avodart capsules because the contents of the capsule may irritate your lips, mouth, or throat. You can take Avodart with or without food. If you miss a dose, you may take it later that day. Do not make up the missed dose by taking 2 doses the next day.
Avodart Dosage
Take Avodart exactly as your doctor has prescribed it. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
The recommended dose of Avodart is 1 capsule (0.5 mg) taken once daily.
Avodart Overdose
If you have taken too much Avodart, call your local Poison Control Center or seek emergency medical help right away.
Forms of Avodart
Avodart is available as 0.5 mg soft gelatin capsules.
Active ingredient: dutasteride.
Inactive ingredients: butylated hydroxytoluene, ferric oxide (yellow), gelatin (from certified BSE-free bovine sources), glycerin, mono-di-glycerides of caprylic/capric acid, titanium dioxide, and edible red ink.
Other Requirements
Store Avodart capsules at room temperature (59°F to 86°F or 15°C to 30°C). Avodart capsules may become deformed and/or discolored if kept at high temperatures. Do not use Avodart if your capsules are deformed, discolored, or leaking. Safely throw away medicine that is no longer needed.
