Dutasteride (Systemic)

Brand Names : Avodart

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking dutasteride must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For dutasteride, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to dutasteride or any other medicine that blocks 5-alpha-reductase, such as finasteride. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Women who are or may become pregnant should not take dutasteride or touch dutasteride capsules, because it can cause changes in the genitals (sex organs) of male fetuses.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether dutasteride passes into breast milk. Dutasteride is not recommended for use in women or women who are breast feeding.

Children - Dutasteride is not recommended for use in children.

Older adults - This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of dutasteride. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Cancer of the prostate or
• Liver disease or
• Problems with urination