Dutasteride is an orally taken drug that falls into the drug class of 5a-reductase inhibitors and has the chemical formula of C27H30F6N2O2. The drug is taken orally and gained medical approval in the USA in 2001. There are now over one million prescriptions of the drug in America annually. The medicine is only available to adults.

The drug is usually prescribed in a 0.5 mg capsule and can improve a male’s urinary flow, primarily when the issues are caused by an enlarged prostate. Aside from preventing acute urinary retention, it may prevent the need for prostate surgery. The medicine is taken daily and used as a long-term treatment with courses regularly lasting for a minimum of six months, although many patients are on dutasteride for several years.

Avodart is the best-known branded version of the drug, but dutasteride is available as a generic prescription drug too. It is only available as a capsule.

What is Dutasteride Prescribed For?

Dutasteride is primarily used to treat conditions linked to an enlarged prostate. Most commonly, it manages symptoms of benign prostate enlargement, also known as BPH, including changes to toiletry habits. It may be used as a sole treatment or in combination with tamsulosin. In some cases, it can also reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer, although there are risks linked to an aggressive form of cancer, which is why it must not be taken without a doctor’s prescription.

The drug may also be prescribed to help prevent male balding and scalp hair loss or excessive hair growth, as well as for hormonal treatment in transgender women. Its use for hair loss has become increasingly common in recent times.

How Does Dutasteride Work?

The primary function of dutasteride is to inhibit the growth of a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, by stopping testosterone conversions. It is the same function offered by other 5a-reductase inhibitors and will allow the enlarged prostate to shrink back to its normal size. In turn, this relieves the pinching pressure from the urinary tract as well as other symptoms.

It additionally prevents the formation of neurosteroid metabolites. Dutasteride does not have severe interactions with other drugs but can have moderate interactions with cimetidine, ketoconazole, rifabutin, and more. The inhibition of DHT also prevents hair loss and fills in balding spots.

What Are The Side Effects of Dutasteride?

Taking dutasteride can increase the risk of high grade prostate cancer or mask the early signs of it, but this only impacts a small section of patients and is something a doctor will consider before prescribing the medication. While dutasteride is generally considered to be a safe drug with very few side effects, the following issues have a potential to surface;

• Reduced sex drive,
• Reduced sperm production during ejaculation,
• Impotence,
• Pain in the testicles,
• Breast growth or tenderness,
• Dizziness.

While rare, it has been reported that cardiac arrest can occur as a result of taking Dutasteride. If you experience any symptoms, you should seek medical help.