Everything to Know About Avodart and Who it’s for
Medically reviewed and edited by Highlights
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Avodart® (dutasteride) is a prescription oral medication used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — commonly known as an enlarged prostate.
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This medication works by preventing the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, blocking unnecessary hormonal processes that contribute to BPH.
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Avodart is approved by the FDA for use by men who have been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate. Because it affects sex hormones, Avodart is not safe for women or children to take or handle.
What is Avodart?
Avodart® (dutasteride) is an oral medication that prevents the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) — a leading mechanistic cause of an enlarged prostate.
It belongs to a class of medications called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) that all work by blocking unnecessary hormonal processes in the body for certain men.
What Exactly are 5-ARIs?
5-ARIs are a class of medications that have been developed for treating conditions such as an enlarged prostate and to prevent male pattern hair loss.
These medicines work by suppressing a naturally-occurring enzyme in the liver called 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a normal hormone that in some men can cause harmful hormonal abnormalities.
DHT hormone contributes to medical and skin conditions like an enlarged prostate, acne, and baldness.
When this enzyme is reduced in the body, it’s unable to convert testosterone into DHT, and as hormone levels are balanced, conditions that develop because of excess DHT can improve.
Finasteride is another 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor commonly used to treat hair loss in men and enlarged prostate symptoms.
Avodart is primarily used to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — also known as an enlarged prostate.
BPH is a noncancerous condition that causes the prostate gland to swell and squeeze the urinary tract, leading to difficulty urinating, trouble emptying the bladder, and frequent urges to urinate at night. It may also lead to secondary infections.
Avodart treats BPH by reducing the size of the prostate, improving symptoms like frequent urination, urinary discomfort, and even reducing infection risk.
Avodart was the first dual 5ARI that inhibits both the type I and type II isoenzymes responsible for the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), suppressing DHT by up to 94% after one year of treatment.
How Do You Get BPH?
An enlarged prostate or BPH is a condition that affects over 60% of men between the ages of 51 and 70.
When BPH occurs, it’s usually because the DHT hormone stimulates the rapid growth of certain cells in the prostate, causing the gland to grow in size.
The actual cause of BPH and this hormonal imbalance is not fully understood, but factors usually involve age, family history, obesity, and metabolic syndromes like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Treatment and healing from an enlarged prostate are achievable if the condition is caught early. Regular prostate checks in older men are a great screening tool to avoid the complications of an enlarged prostate.
Are there different doses for Avodart?
Avodart comes in soft, gel-like capsules that are opaque and yellow in color, imprinted with the brand name Avodart.
A typical dosage schedule for Avodart is one capsule (containing 0.5 mg dutasteride) taken once daily for up to six months. The dose typically does not vary from 0.5 mg daily.
You can take Avodart with or without food, as long as it’s taken as prescribed.
When Was Avodart Approved by The FDA?
Avodart (dutasteride) 0.5 mg capsules were first approved by the U.S. FDA for treating the symptoms of an enlarged prostate in 2002.
The FDA expanded the approved label to include combination treatment with tamsulosin in September of 2008.
It may also lower the risk of you needing surgery to reduce an enlarged prostate.
It’s important to note that the FDA also advises that 5-ARIs like Avodart may increase the risk of developing serious conditions like prostate cancer, which your doctor can help you assess before prescribing it.
This medication is not safe for women — especially those who are pregnant or breastfeeding — or children.
Can I get Avodart over the counter?
Avodart is a prescription medication — it’s not available over the counter.
The generic version of Avodart, known as dutasteride, can also only be obtained with a prescription.
At LifeMD, you can schedule a virtual consultation with an affiliated and board-certified doctor or nurse practitioner before deciding on your treatment options.
Avodart Alternatives: What to Know
When it comes to treating BPH, there are a few options:
5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitors for BPH
Avodart is just one of two 5ARI medications approved for the treatment of BPH.
Proscar® (finasteride) or generic finasteride is another treatment option, which your doctor can help decide at the time of diagnosis.
Generic formulations of dutasteride from other manufacturers are also now available.
Alpha Blockers for BPH
Alpha blockers like tamsulosin are another treatment option for BPH, including alfuzosin (Uroxatral®), doxazosin (Cardura®), silodosin (Rapaflo®), and terazosin.
These medications may work quickly in people with somewhat smaller prostates and are often a first-line treatment for BPH symptoms or less severe diagnoses.
Tamsulosin and dutasteride, the active ingredient in Avodart, are also available in a single combination medication called Jalyn®.
Phosphodiesterase Type-5 Inhibitors for BPH
Tadalafil (Cialis®) is another option for BPH.
As a phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor, tadalafil works by altering blood flow in and around the penis. Viagra (sildenafil) is the most well-known but Cialis® is a close second in terms of market share.
Originally approved by the FDA for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, tadalafil has been shown at lower doses to help with symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
What Medications Should I Not Be Using with Avodart?
Avodart isn’t safe to use with certain other medications, some of which can interact with Avodart to cause a slower breakdown of the medication and affect its absorption in the body. This can increase the risk of adverse reactions or for the treatment to not work as well. Common medications that should not be used at the same time as Avodart include:
Conivaptan (Vaprisol®)
Imatinib (Gleevec®)
Isoniazid
Antibiotics
Antifungal medication
Antidepressants
Heart or blood pressure medication
HIV/AIDS medicine
Since Avodart is a prescription medication, you’ll work with your physician to determine if Avodart is the right medication for you.
Avodart and Flomax®: What you need to know about this combination
Avodart is commonly used alongside Flomax (tamsulosin) to treat and alleviate symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.
What is Flomax?
Flomax, known generically as tamsulosin, is another medication used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
It works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder, relieving urination difficulties. Flomax can also help reduce the need to urinate frequently.
Are Avodart and Flomax the same?
Avodart and Flomax aren’t the same drugs, but they are often used effectively as a combination treatment for BPH.
When used together, these two drugs can help to alleviate symptoms of BPH faster than taking them separately, and they’re commonly prescribed together for more severe cases of BPH.
Is Avodart Safe? Side Effects and Complications of Avodart
Using Avodart may cause a number of adverse reactions, both mild and severe, including:
Reduced libido and sexual interest
Decreased ability to produce sperm and ejaculate
Impotence
Testicular pain or swelling
Breast tenderness or enlargement (gynecomastia)
Allergic reactions
Skin conditions
Mental health problems like depression
Some men may continue experiencing sexual problems even after stopping treatment.
However, adverse reactions are uncommon, especially if the medication is taken exactly as prescribed. If any of these side effects last or worsen, it’s recommended that you make an appointment with your healthcare provider immediately.
Do not use Avodart if you are a woman
Avodart isn’t recommended for use by women, especially those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. This also includes handling the capsules or touching capsules. Because Avodart affects important sex hormones, it may harm an unborn baby and cause birth defects like decreased reproductive organ weight and delayed development.
Avoid engaging in unprotected penetrative sexual activities
Avodart can be absorbed into men’s semen when taking it for BPH, which is why it’s recommended to avoid exposing your sexual partner during treatment. When having sex while taking Avodart, use a condom or other forms of protection that covers penis.
This can help to prevent exposure to semen that can be harmful to your partner.
Do not donate blood while on Avodart
If you’re on Avodart, you will not be allowed to donate blood.
You’ll also be prohibited from donating blood at least six months after you’ve stopped taking the medication to avoid the possibility of your blood being given to a pregnant woman.
Why Can’t You Donate Blood While Using Avodart?
When you take Avodart, the medication enters your bloodstream and can stay there for up to six months after you’ve completed treatment.
If you donate blood while using Avodart, you increase the risk of transferring the medication to someone who may receive your blood in a transfusion.
Men who receive a blood transfusion from someone using Avodart may also be exposed to developing high-grade prostate cancer.
If you’re a regular blood donor, speak to your doctor before starting your treatment to learn when you’ll be able to donate again.
Can Long-Term Use of Avodart Cause Any Complications?
Using Avodart may increase the risk of developing long-term complications that can affect the quality of your life.
Some of the common complications caused by the medication include:
Increased risk of developing heart disease
Worsened erectile dysfunction
Altered blood sugar and cholesterol levels
Increased risk of developing diabetes
Increased risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer (as measured by diagnosed Gleason score 8-10 prostate cancer)
These long-term effects can have potentially life-threatening results, which is why your doctor will be so important in diagnosing and treating enlarged prostate, helping you decide on the best course of action for your situation.
While on Avodart, it’s also important to get regular blood tests to check for changes in your prostate-specific antigen (PSA), an early warning sign in the development of prostate cancer.
When Should I See a Doctor About Using Avodart?
You should see a doctor right away if you suspect you’re developing or experiencing symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
LifeMD is a leading telehealth partner for Avodart, helping eligible patients get a diagnosis and determine the right course of treatment from the comfort of their own homes.
Through a virtual telehealth visit, a board-certified doctor or nurse practitioner can help you determine what’s causing your discomfort, prescribe the right medications, and have your prescription sent to your nearest pharmacy.
It’s seamless and simple — and you can stay in touch with your prescribing physician by messaging them in your LifeMD patient portal at any time.
Learn more about your condition and treatment options with a LifeMD virtual visit today.
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