Dutasteride

Dutasteride is used to treat an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). Dutasteride is in a class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It works by blocking the production of a natural substance that enlarges the prostate. This shrinks the prostate, relieves symptoms of BPH, such as frequent and difficult urination, and decreases the chance that surgery will be needed to treat this condition.

Dutasteride comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. To help you remember to take dutasteride, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take dutasteride exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Dutasteride may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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inability to have or maintain an erection</li>
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decrease in sex drive</li>
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difficulty ejaculating</li>
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breast tenderness or enlargement</li></ul>Dutasteride may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.</p> <p></p> <p></p>

Before taking dutasteride, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dutasteride, finasteride (Propecia, Proscar), or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: antifungals such as fluconazole, (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet); ciprofloxacin (Cipro); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem); fluvoxamine (Luvox); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan) and ritonavir (Norvir); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); metronidazole (Flagyl); nefazodone (Serzone); troleandomycin (TAO); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); and zafirlukast (Accolate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease or prostate cancer. you should know that you should not donate blood while you are taking dutasteride and for 6 months after you stop taking this medication.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.