What is Avodart used for?

Avodart 0.5mg capsules are used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate) to shrink the prostate and reduce the risk of urinary retention caused by restricted urine flow as the prostate becomes enlarged. Improving symptoms of BPH with Avodart 0.5mg capsules also reduces the need for surgery. As a side effect of its intended use, Avodart 0.5mg capsules are also used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) by increasing hair growth and preventing further hair loss from all areas of the scalp, including the front. This can reverse balding in men with mild to moderate hair loss but does not restore hair that has been lost for a long time. Avodart 0.5mg capsules are not used to treat hair loss in women.

How does Avodart work?

Avodart 0.5mg capsules contains Dutasteride 0.5 mg that specifically inhibits the action of both forms (type I and type II) of the enzyme 5α-reductase, that convert the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the androgen primarily responsible for development and growth of the prostate gland. DHT also causes benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate) and Avodart 0.5mg capsules reduce the levels of DHT in the blood, so that prostate growth is no longer stimulated in men with BPH allowing the enlarged prostate to shrink. DHT, which is also found in hair follicles, is the androgen responsible for hair loss, as it causes hair follicles in the scalp to gradually shrink producing smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle. Avodart 0.5 mg capsules reverses the balding process as it blocks the build up of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, allowing the hair to grow normally.

What does Avodart contain?

The active ingredient of Avodart 0.5mg capsules is dustasteride 0.5mg, which is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate) and reverses the balding process in male pattern hair loss. The capsule contents also contain: mono- and diglycerides of caprylic/capric acid, butylhydroxytoluene (E321). The capsule shell contains: gelatine, glycerol, titanium dioxide (E171), iron oxide yellow (E172), triglycerides, medium chain, lecithin, red printing ink containing iron oxide red (E172) as the colourant, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, propylene glycol and Macrogol 400.

Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with Avodart

Avodart 0.5mg capsules contain Dutasteride 0.5 mg, which is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate). Avodart 0.5mg capsules specifically inhibit the action of both forms (type I and type II) of the enzyme 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the androgen primarily responsible for development and growth of the prostate gland. Avodart 0.5mg capsules reduce the levels of DHT in the blood, so that prostate growth is no longer stimulated and the prostate shrinks, reducing the risk of urinary retention and restricted urine flow caused by an enlarged prostate. Treating BPH with Avodart 0.5mg capsules improves symptoms and reduces the need for surgery.

Treating hair loss with Avodart

Avodart 0.5mg capsules contain Dutasteride 0.5 mg, used to treat male pattern hair loss. Avodart 0.5mg capsules specifically inhibit the action of both forms (type I and type II) of the enzyme 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is found in hair follicles and is the androgen that is responsible for hair loss. DHT causes hair follicles in the scalp to gradually shrink producing smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle. Avodart 0.5 mg capsules reverses the balding process as it blocks the build up of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, allowing the hair to grow normally.

What are the side effects of Avodart?

Avodart 0.5mg capsules are generally well tolerated but it is always possible that you may experience side effects, which are usually mild such as, temporary impotence (whilst continuing on treatment) and low libido. Less common side effects include breast tenderness and enlargement (gynecomastia) and itchy skin rash.

When should Avodart not be used?

You should not use Avodart if you are:

• a woman, Avodart is not intended for use by women and can be harmful to an unborn child
• allergic to Avodart or any other medication containing dutasteride
• taking medication that may interact with Avodart and may increase your risk for side-effects, including verapamil or diltiazem (for high blood pressure), ritonavir or indinavir (for HIV), itraconazole or ketaconazole (for fungal infections) nefazodone (an antidepressant)

How should Avodart be taken?

You should take Avodart 0.5mg capsules with a glass of water once a day with or without food, for up to 6 months or longer, as recommended by your doctor. Do not chew the capsule or open it, as this may make your mouth or throat sore.

How long should you take Avodart?

You should continue to take Avodart 0.5mg capsules for as long as your doctor recommends. This may be for 3 months or longer. It can take several months for new hair to grow and if you stop taking your Avodart 0.5mg capsules tablets during this time, hair loss may resume. It can take 6 months or more for Avodart 0.5mg capsules to improve symptoms of BPH, as the prostate shrinks slowly and if you stop taking your Avodart 0.5mg capsules during this time, your prostate make start to grow again.

Missed dose of Avodart

If you miss a dose of Avodart take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Avodart be stored?

Keep your Avodart 0.5mg capsules in their blister packs and store in cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep away from direct sunlight.