Dutasteride tabs

Description

Dutasteride is a prescription drug used primarily to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — enlargement of the prostate.
Its brand names include Avodart and Duodart (combined with tamsulosin).

What it does

Dutasteride is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.
It blocks both types of the enzyme (Type I and Type II) that convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT is a hormone that causes prostate enlargement and contributes to male-pattern hair loss.

Common uses

• Treating enlarged prostate (BPH)
• Off-label for androgenic alopecia (hair loss), often as an alternative to finasteride
• Sometimes used in hormonal protocols requiring DHT suppression

Potency

Compared to finasteride, dutasteride reduces DHT levels much more strongly (up to ~90–95%).

Side effects

Because it affects hormones, possible effects include:

• decreased libido
• erectile dysfunction
• reduced semen volume
• breast tenderness or enlargement
• depression or mood changes (less common)
• potential long-term impact on sexual function in a small percentage of users

Forms and dosing

• Usually taken orally in capsule form
• Standard dose for BPH: 5 mg daily
• For hair loss, doctors may prescribe 5 mg every 2–7 days, depending on the case

Notes

• It has a very long half-life (about 5 weeks), so effects and side effects accumulate slowly and fade slowly.
• It is not recommended for women (especially pregnant women) to handle crushed or leaking capsules.