Brand Name: Avodart®
Active Ingredient: dutasteride
Strength(s): 0.5 mg
Dosage Form(s): Capsule
Company Name: GlaxoSmithKline
Availability: Prescription only
Date Approved by FDA: November 20, 2001

What is Avodart used for?  

Avodart is used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate to: 

• improve symptoms
• reduce the risk of acute urinary retention (a complete blockage of urine flow)  
• reduce the risk of the need for BPH-related surgery

Who should not take Avodart?  

Dutasteride is for men only. Women and children should never take Avodart. 

You should not take Avodart if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or are allergic to other 5α-reductase inhibitors . 

Special Warnings:

Avodart can pass through the skin. Therefore, women who are pregnant or may be pregnant should not touch Avodart because it can pass through their skin and may cause a birth defect in their male baby. 

Women should use caution whenever handling Avodart.

General Precautions with Avodart: 

Men taking Avodart should not donate blood until at least 6 months after their last dose to prevent pregnant women from receiving Avodart through a blood donation.

What should I tell my health care provider?

Tell your doctor if you have a history of:

• liver problems
• cancer of the prostate

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may affect how Avodart works or Avodart may affect how your other medicines work.

 What are some possible side effects of Avodart? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Avodart. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.) 

The most common side effects are:

• impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection)
• a decrease in libido (sex drive)
• breast enlargement and tenderness (gynecomastia)
• a decrease in the amount of semen released during sex