Dutasteride (By mouth)

Introduction:

Dutasteride (doo-TAS-ter-ide)

Treats an enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). This medicine can be used alone or combined with tamsulosin (Flomax®).

Brand Name(s):

Avodart

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid Filled Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, open, or chew it because the contents of the capsule may irritate your lips, mouth, or throat.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cimetidine (Tagamet®), ciprofloxacin (Cipro®), diltiazem (Cardizem®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), ritonavir (Norvir®), troleandomycin (Tao®), or verapamil (Calan®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid touching or handling this medicine. This medicine can get into the body through the skin and may harm an unborn baby. If any of this medicine gets on the skin of a woman, wash the area immediately with soap and water.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you have liver disease, problems urinating, or prostate cancer.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
• Do not donate blood for at least 6 months after you stop taking this medicine because the medicine may still be in your blood. If this blood is given to a woman or child, it may cause problems.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• This medicine may affect the results of certain blood tests, such as prostate specific antigen (PSA). Your doctor may be testing this regularly. If so, you will need to have new blood tests done 3 to 6 months after you start taking this medicine.
• This medicine does not usually affect normal sexual abilities in most men. You may notice that you ejaculate less fluid when you have sex.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Breasts feeling tender or getting bigger.
• Decrease or change in your sexual desire.
• Dizziness.
• Mild skin rash or itching.
• Trouble having or keeping an erection.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: