• Avodart

  General information:

  Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline
  Substance: Dutasteride
  Pack: 30 caps (0.5 mg/cap)

Amount

What is Avodart ?

Avodart (Dutasteride) Product Genuine on GlaxoSmithKline

AVODART is a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound that is a selective inhibitor of both the type 1 and type 2 isoforms of steroid 5 alpha-reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT.

Dutasteride is chemically designated as (5α,17β)-N-{2,5 bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl}-3 oxo-4-azaandrost-1-ene-17-carboxamide. The empirical formula of dutasteride is C₂₇H₃₀F₆N₂O₂, representing a molecular weight of 528.5 with the following structural formula:

 

Dutasteride belongs to a class of medications known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. It is used to relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with enlarged prostates. BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that usually occurs in men after the age of 50.

Dutasteride works to reduce the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that causes enlargement of the prostate gland. Dutasteride relieves symptoms of BPH by reducing the size of the prostate and improving the flow of urine.

This medication improves symptoms associated with BPH, such as:

• decreased urine flow
• difficulty urinating
• getting up to urinate during the night
• hesitation at the start of urination

Dutasteride may be prescribed along with another medication called tamsulosin in order to decrease the symptoms of BPH.

It may take 6 months or more to see the full effects of this medication. Dutasteride reduces the likelihood of prostate surgery for men with BPH. It must be taken on a regular basis to be effective. If the medication is stopped, the prostate will start to grow again.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than the ones listed in these drug information articles.As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.