What Condition Does Dutasteride Treat and Its Price?

Dutasteride is in the class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors used in men with an enlarged prostate. This medication blocks the making of a natural substance that reasons to prostate enlargement. This comes in soft gelatin capsule form contains 0.5 mg of Dutasteride. 

What Condition does Dutasteride treat?

Dutasteride is an FDA-approved prescription that is used for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that usually occurs in men with an enlarged prostate. This medication helps mend urinary flow. This may also lessen your need for prostate surgery later. Dutasteride can be used alone or in combination with another medication for BPH. 

How does Dutasteride work?

Dutasteride works by preventing the change of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the androgen that is accountable for the first growth and later development of the prostate gland. Testosterone is changed to DHT by the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase. It occurs as 2 isoforms which is the type 1 and 2. The type 2 isoenzyme is mainly active in the reproductive tissues. The type 1 isoenzyme is also in control for testosterone change in the skin and liver. This medication is a detailed and competitive inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase isoenzymes type 1, and type 2. It forms a steady enzyme complex. As a result, the size of the prostate is decreased.

The effect of this medication lasts only as long as the medicine is taken. If it is stopped, the prostate begins to grow again. It is very important to take this medicine regularly for the best benefit. 

What is the dosage of Dutasteride?

The dosage of this medication is based on your medical condition and response to the first dosage. If your dose is different, do not change it unless instructed by your doctor. The amount of this medication that you will take depends on the strength, the total dosages you take each day, and the intervals you take the medicine.

This medication is usually taken once a day with or without food. It should be swallowed as a whole. You must continue taking this medication as your condition improves. Use this regularly or as directed by your doctor. Do not change the dosage or stop taking this without consulting your doctor. It may take 3 to 6 months to notice an improvement in symptoms. Let your doctor know if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen. 

What are the precautions in using Dutasteride?

• If you become pregnant or is planning to become pregnant and her skin comes in contact with leaking Dutasteride, she should wash the area with soap and water right away.
• Don’t donate blood for at least 6 months after stopping Dutasteride. This helps prevent passing the medicine to a pregnant woman receiving the blood.
• Dutasteride might increase your risk of prostate cancer. Your doctor will check if you have prostate cancer by doing a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) before and during your treatment with this medication. Dutasteride lowers PSA concentrations in your blood. If you have an increased PSA, your doctor may need to do more tests to check if you have prostate cancer.
• Dutasteride can interact with other vitamins, herbs, or medications you may be taking. Interaction occurs when a substance changes the mode of how the drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help prevent interactions, your doctor must manage all of your medications cautiously. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, herbs, or vitamins you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor.
• Taking this medicine with certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure can cause more Dutasteride to stay in your blood. This can increase your risk of side effects.
• Dutasteride is not recommended for use in children. This drug has not been established as safe or effective in children.

Price of Dutasteride vs. Avodart

The generic Dutasteride is an inexpensive and effective medication that only costs $1.17 per unit of 0.5 mg and $35 for 30 capsules. The brand name Avodart costs $7.21 per unit of the same dosage strength and $216.36 for 30 capsules. Therefore, Dutasteride is a lot cheaper than the brand name Avodart.