| name | Dutasteride |
| form | Oral |
| classification | 5-alpha reductase inhibitor |
| pharmacokinetics | | absorption | Rapidly absorbed, with peak plasma concentrations achieved within 1-2 hours. | | distribution | Distributed throughout the body, with high concentrations in the prostate. | | metabolism | Metabolized primarily in the liver, with minimal excretion in the urine. | | elimination | Elimination half-life is approximately 5-6 weeks, which allows for once-a-day dosing. This extended half-life is important due to the effect on lowering DHT levels. |
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| suggested dosage | | adult male 25yrs 70kg | 0.5 mg orally once daily | | notes | The dose is the same regardless of age or weight in the absence of specific contraindications. Always consult a physician for accurate dosage recommendations. |
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| indications | | 1 | Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in adult men with an enlarged prostate | | 2 | Prostate cancer (in combination with other treatments) in men at high risk for developing it | | 3 | Note that there are strict guidelines for using this for prostate cancer, as it's not a first-line therapy, and usage is usually reserved for cases in which other treatments are not appropriate or ineffective. |
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| safety in pregnancy | Category X. Absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy. Exposure to this drug during pregnancy is extremely risky and may cause harm to a developing male fetus. |
| safety in breastfeeding | Not recommended for use during breastfeeding. It is unknown if the drug is excreted in breast milk, and exposure to infants is potentially harmful. |
| side effects | | 1 | Decreased libido | | 2 | Erectile dysfunction | | 3 | Ejaculation disorders | | 4 | Breast tenderness or enlargement | | 5 | Back pain | | 6 | Muscle weakness | | 7 | Headache | | 8 | Nausea | | 9 | Diarrhea | | 10 | Rash | | 11 | Increased risk of high cholesterol (though not seen in all patients) | | 12 | Note: The side effects listed are not exhaustive. Individual reactions can vary widely. |
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| alternatives | |
| contraindications | | 1 | Pregnancy or women of childbearing potential (due to teratogenic risk) | | 2 | Known hypersensitivity or allergy to dutasteride or any of its ingredients | | 3 | Active liver disease | | 4 | Severe kidney impairment |
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| interactions | | 1 | CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers can affect dutasteride levels; Consult with physician if taking other medications. | | 2 | Notably, dutasteride can interact with medications used for lowering cholesterol, thus potentially increasing risks of cholesterol abnormalities. |
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| warnings and precautions | | 1 | Long-term use should be monitored with regular prostate examinations and blood tests. | | 2 | Patient should report any persistent or worsening side effects to their physician. | | 3 | Dutasteride is not a cure for BPH; it can help manage symptoms. | | 4 | Prolonged use may lead to increased risk of high cholesterol, although this is not a universal finding. Monitoring of lipid profiles is recommended, and changes in medication should be done under medical supervision. | | 5 | Do not donate blood while taking this medication as it may be detected in the blood for several months. |
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| additional informations | | 1 | Dutasteride is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic BPH and in combination treatment for prostate cancer. Effectiveness should be evaluated by a healthcare professional | | 2 | Do not crush or chew dutasteride tablets. |
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| patient information | |
