Avodart

Drug name

Avodart (Dutasteride)

Drug Uses

Avodart is intended in treating the non-malignant form of the prostatic hyperplasia decreasing the risk of the urinary blockage and the need of the surgical operation.

How Taken

Strictly follow your doctor prescriptions when taking the medicine.
- It is permitted to take the medicine during the meal as well as bfore or after it.
- Take this medication whole at once without crushing or chewing it before swallowing.
- The effect of the medicine can appear after 3-6 month of the therapy.
Consult your doctor in case you are not sure how to use this medication.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Avodart is a 5 alpha-reductase enzyme inhibitor. It reduces the amount of the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that is usually the main cause of the prostate increasing. As the amount of DHT lowers the size of the prostate gland lowers also.

Missed Dose

In case you have missed to take the medicine do it at the moment you have remembered but skip it in case it is the time of your next dosage and follow your usual schedule. You shouldn’t use double dose simultaneously.

Storage

The medicine should be kept between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in an impermeable box in a dark, dry and cool place. It is not recommended to keep Avodart in the bathroom. Avoid taking the drugs after the date on the box has expired. Store the medicine beyond the reach of children and pets.

Warnings Precautions

You shouldn’t take the medicine in case you:
- Have allergy to the components of the medicine or 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors;
- Are pregnant at the moment or a female of childbearing age.
Consult you doctor in case you are in any of the conditions mentioned above.

Note:
- Avoid contact of the medicine with the skin as the medicine can be absorbed. It is especially important to pregnant women as the medicine appeared after the crush of the tablet will be absorbed and can affect the fetus negatively. In case some amount of the medicine came upon the skin wash this area with soap and consult your doctor for further actions.
- It is not recommended to take the medicine during pregnancy period. Avoid breast-feeding throughout the Avodart therapy period.
- The medicine remains in the blood for 4-6 month. It is not recommended to donate blood during this period to avoid the medicine appearing in the blood of the pregnant women through a blood transfusion.
- Taking the medicine can lead to decrease of the amount of the semen ejaculated. However this will not affect normal sexual function.
- Taking the medicine may impact on Prostate-specific antigen blood test by showing the prostate cancer. Let you doctor know beforehand about taking the Avodart in case you have been PSA tested.
- Follow strictly all prescriptions of your doctor and lab tests as they will show your situation and possible side effects.
- It is not recommended to use this medicine for treating children as the consequences of taking medicine by children are not studied yet.

Possible Side Effects

Consult you doctor in case following side effects remain for a long period of time:
- breasts enlargement/tenderness, declined libido, lower amount of the semen ejaculated, permanent impediments to erection.

Contact you doctor or first medical aid immediately in case you experience:
- severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

More Information

The medicine should be taken only by the patients with corresponding prescriptions. Don’t give the medicine to the people who have no such prescription. In case your condition remains the same or gets worse contact your doctor.