Avodart (Dutasteride) Capsule 0.5mg

Avodart (Dutasteride) 0.5mg Capsule. Avodart is used to treat men with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) - a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland, caused by producing too much of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone. As the prostate grows, it can lead to urinary problems, such as difficulty in passing urine and a need to go to the toilet frequently. It can also cause the flow of the urine to be slower and less forceful. If left untreated, there is a risk that your urine flow will be completely blocked (acute urinary retention). This requires immediate medical treatment. In some situations surgery is necessary to remove or reduce the size of the prostate gland. Avodart lowers the production of dihydrotestosterone, which helps to shrink the prostate and relieve the symptoms. This will reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and the need for surgery.

Avodart may also be used with another medicine called tamsulosin (used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate).

The usual dose is one capsule (0.5 mg) taken once a day. Swallow the capsules whole with water. Do not chew or break open the capsule. Contact with the contents of the capsules may make your mouth or throat sore.

Avodart is a long term treatment. Some men notice an early improvement in their symptoms. However, others may need to take Avodart for 6 months or more before it begins to have an effect. Keep taking Avodart for as long as your doctor tells you.

Dutasteride 0.5mg

Do not take Avodart

* if you're allergic (hypersensitive) to dutasteride or to any of the other ingredients of Avodart
* if you're allergic to other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
* if you have a severe liver disease.

- Tell your doctor if you think any of these apply to you.

This medicine is for men only. It must not be taken by women, children or adolescents.
Take special care with Avodart

* Make sure your doctor knows about liver problems. If you have had any illness affecting your liver, you may need some additional check-ups while you are taking Avodart.
* Women, children and adolescents must not handle leaking Avodart capsules, because the active ingredient can be absorbed through the skin. Wash the affected area immediately with soap and water if there is any contact with the skin.
* Use a condom during sexual intercourse. Dutasteride has been found in the semen of men taking Avodart. If your partner is or may be pregnant, you must avoid exposing her to your semen as dutasteride may affect the normal development of a male baby. Dutasteride has been shown to decrease sperm count, semen volume and sperm motility. This could reduce your fertility.
* Avodart can affect a blood test for PSA (prostate-specific antigen), which is sometimes used to detect prostate cancer. Your doctor should be aware of this effect and can still use the test to detect prostate cancer. If you are having a blood test for PSA, tell your doctor that you are taking Avodart.

- Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about taking Avodart.

Taking other medicines:

Tell your doctor if you're taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines. This includes any medicines you've bought without a prescription.

Some medicines can react with Avodart and may make it more likely that you'll have side-effects. These medicines include:

* verapamil or diltiazem (for high blood pressure)
* ritonavir or indinavir (for HIV)
* itraconazole or ketaconazole (for fungal infections)
* nefazodone (an antidepressant)
* alpha-blockers (for enlarged prostate or high blood pressure).

- Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines. Your dose of Avodart may need to be reduced.
Food and drink with Avodart

Avodart can be taken with or without food.

30 Capsules

To view this product's Patient Information Leaflet, click here.