Dutasteride
Pronounced doo-TAS-ter-ide
Brand names: Avodart
Type: 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (prostate medicine) · All Other Medicines
What Dutasteride is used for
- Enlarged prostate
- Reducing risk of urinary retention and prostate surgery
Common side effects
- Reduced sex drive
- Erection problems
- Reduced semen amount
- Breast tenderness or enlargement
Important cautions
- Lowers PSA readings substantially — screening results must be interpreted with this in mind
- Women who are or may become pregnant must not handle leaking capsules; blood donation is deferred for a period after stopping because of risk to a pregnant transfusion recipient
How it comes
Capsules. This guide lists forms only — it never lists strengths or doses.
Related medicines — Other Medicines
Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.