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Dutasteride Coupon - Dutasteride 0.5mg capsule

dutasteride

Generic Avodart
Used for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Used for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Dutasteride (Avodart) is a prescription medication used to improve symptoms of an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). It can also lower the risk for BPH-related surgery. This medication belongs to a drug class known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. The dosage is usually one capsule by mouth once daily. Some possible side effects of dutasteride (Avodart) include trouble getting or maintaining an erection, lower sex drive, and ejaculation problems. It's available as the brand name Avodart and generic name dutasteride.

Last reviewed on May 31, 2023
basics-icon

What is Dutasteride (Avodart)?

What is Dutasteride (Avodart) used for?

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

How Dutasteride (Avodart) works

Dutasteride (Avodart) is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It blocks the body from making a form of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that's responsible for prostate growth. As a result, the medication slows the prostate from getting larger. As the prostate shrinks, it gets easier to urinate.

Are you looking for information on Jalyn (dutasteride / tamsulosin) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAvodart
Drug Class5-alpha reductase inhibitor
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Dutasteride (Avodart)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Trouble getting or keeping an erection (up to 5%)
  • Lower sex drive (up to 3%)

Other Side Effects

  • Difficulty ejaculating or getting an orgasm
  • Breast tenderness or growth

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Allergic reaction: skin peeling; swelling in your face, tongue, or throat; trouble breathing

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Chest pain or discomfort

dilated neck veins

extreme fatigue

irregular breathing

irregular heartbeat

swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

trouble breathing

weight gain

Incidence not known

Blistering, flaking, or peeling of the skin

cough

difficulty with swallowing

dizziness

fast heartbeat

hives or welts, itching skin, rash

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

redness of the skin

tightness in the chest

unusual tiredness or weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Abnormal ejaculation

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

decreased sexual performance or desire

impotence

inability to have or keep an erection

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

pain, soreness, swelling, or discharge from the breast or breasts

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Dutasteride (Avodart)

thumbs-up

Pros

Can lower the need for prostate-related surgery

Only taken once a day

Some side effects ease with time.

Can use alone or together with tamsulosin (Flomax) to improve symptoms even more

thumbs-down

Cons

Might take many months to work

Can cause side effects like a lower sex drive, trouble keeping an erection, or less sperm

Can't donate blood while taking this medication and for 6 months after the last dose

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Dutasteride (Avodart)

pharmacist
  • Swallow the dutasteride (Avodart) capsules whole. Don't chew or open them because the powder inside of the capsule can irritate your mouth.

    • You can take dutasteride (Avodart) with or without food.

      • Don't take or touch dutasteride (Avodart) capsules if they're bent, a different color than usual, or leaking. Otherwise, they might cause harm to you.

        • If you forget to take your dose of dutasteride (Avodart), you can take it later in the day. Never double up on your medication to make up for a missed dose because this can lead to side effects.

          • Don't donate blood while you're taking dutasteride (Avodart) and within 6 months of your last dose. This medication stays in the blood for a long time. And, it can harm an unborn baby if a pregnant woman gets a blood transfusion that has dutasteride (Avodart) in it.

            • Women who are pregnant or who can have children shouldn't touch dutasteride (Avodart) capsules. This medication can get absorbed into the body through the skin, get passed to an unborn baby, and harm the baby. If a woman does come in contact with a leaky capsule, wash the exposed area of skin right away with soap and water.

              • Let your provider or pharmacist know about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you take or plan to take. Certain medications might make your BPH symptoms worse. Some examples include allergy and cold/flu medications (such as antihistamines). Your providers can help guide you to medications that best fit your needs.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Dutasteride (Avodart)

                Should I take dutasteride (Avodart) in the morning or at night?
                You can take dutasteride (Avodart) at any time of the day, but it works best when it's taken at the same time each day. If you're also taking other medications for your prostate like tamsulosin (Flomax), it might be a good idea to take these together at around the same time. Talk to your provider or pharmacist if you have questions about the best time of day to take your BPH medications.
                Is dutasteride (Avodart) better than finasteride (Proscar) for BPH?
                Studies suggest both finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) work just as well when compared to each other for treating BPH. They also seem to have similar side effects. Your provider might prefer one over the other based on factors like what other medications you're taking. This is because finasteride (Proscar) has less interactions with other medications compared to dutasteride (Avodart). Talk to your provider to find out which option is best for you.
                Does dutasteride (Avodart) regrow hair?
                Dutasteride (Avodart) isn't FDA approved to treat hair loss, unlike another medication in the same drug class called finasteride (Propecia). Some studies found that dutasteride (Avodart) might be useful in the treatment of male pattern baldness. This might be because DHT (a hormone made from testosterone) has been linked to male hair loss, and dutasteride (Avodart) blocks the production of DHT. More research is needed to know whether dutasteride (Avodart) is safe and works well for male pattern baldness. Speak to your provider if you're concerned about hair loss. They can discuss treatment options with you.
                How long does dutasteride (Avodart) stay in your system?
                Dutasteride (Avodart) stays in your body for a long time after you stop taking it. It could take up to about 6 months for it to completely leave your system. For this reason, it's not recommended to donate blood until at least 6 months after your last dose of dutasteride (Avodart). This prevents women from getting exposed to the medication through blood transfusions and the consequences this might have on an unborn baby (i.e., birth defects).
                How long does it take for dutasteride (Avodart) to work on the prostate?
                Some people can feel improvement in BPH symptoms as soon as 3 months. However, it could take longer for you to feel the full effects of the medication. It's recommended to try dutasteride (Avodart) for 6 months to see if it works well for you. If you aren't noticing improvement in your symptoms after a few months of taking dutasteride (Avodart), contact your provider. There are other treatment options that might work better for you.
                Does dutasteride (Avodart) shrink the prostate?
                Yes. Dutasteride (Avodart) lowers the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in your body, which stops your prostate from getting larger. In clinical studies, the size of the prostate gland of men who took dutasteride (Avodart) shrunk more than those who took a placebo. By reducing the size of the prostate, dutasteride (Avodart) can help relieve BPH symptoms, like difficulty urinating.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Dutasteride (Avodart)?

                Dutasteride (Avodart) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Birth defects

                Pregnant women and women who can become pregnant shouldn't touch dutasteride (Avodart) capsules. This medication can get absorbed into the body through the skin and harm unborn babies. If you're a woman who can have children and you come into contact with a leaking capsule, wash the area with soap and water right away.

                risk-warning

                Effects on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and the use of PSA for prostate cancer detection

                • Risk factors: Taking dutasteride (Avodart) for 3 months or longer

                  Dutasteride (Avodart) can lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in your body. PSA levels are typically used to screen for prostate cancer. Because dutasteride (Avodart) lowers the PSA levels, the medication might also affect the results of a prostate cancer test. For this reason, your provider should test your PSA levels at least 3 months after starting treatment to get a new baseline level for you, and watch your levels closely thereafter.

                  risk-warning

                  Higher risk of severe form of prostate cancer

                  Dutasteride (Avodart) might raise the risk of a severe form of prostate cancer. Note that in a study of men aged 50 to 75 years, 1% of those who took dutasteride (Avodart) developed this form of prostate cancer. Talk to your provider if this risk concerns you.

                  risk-warning

                  Can't donate blood during treatment

                  Don't donate blood until at least 6 months after your last dose of dutasteride (Avodart). This medication can stay in the blood for a long period of time. And if a woman who's pregnant gets a blood transfusion that happens to contain dutasteride (Avodart), there's a risk of serious harm to an unborn baby.

                  risk-warning

                  Changes in semen

                  People taking dutasteride (Avodart) for 1 year have had lower sperm count and other sperm changes. It's unknown how these changes affect fertility (the ability to have children). Talk to your provider if this concerns you.

                  dosage

                  Dutasteride (Avodart) dosage forms

                  The average cost for 30 capsules of 0.5mg of Dutasteride (Avodart) is $12.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 93.09% off the average retail price of $173.65.
                  capsule
                  Capsule
                  DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                  0.5mg30 capsules$12.00$0.40

                  Typical dosing for Dutasteride (Avodart)

                  The typical dose is 0.5 mg by mouth once a day.

                  interactions

                  Interactions between Dutasteride (Avodart) and other drugs

                  Dutasteride (Avodart) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Dutasteride (Avodart). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                  Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                  How much does Dutasteride (Avodart) cost?

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                  contraindications-icon

                  Dutasteride (Avodart) contraindications

                  Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Dutasteride (Avodart) will not be safe for you to take.
                  alternatives

                  What are alternatives to Dutasteride (Avodart)?

                  There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Dutasteride (Avodart). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                  Dutasteride (Avodart)
                  Used for:
                  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

                  $12.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Used for:
                  • Relieves urinary symptoms

                  • Lessens the need for prostate surgery

                  $20.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  Used for:
                  • Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)

                  $4.80 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                  latest news

                  What is the latest news about Dutasteride (Avodart)?

                  images

                  Dutasteride (Avodart) images

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                  References

                  Best studies we found

                  American Red Cross. (n.d.). Types of transfusions.

                  Asfour, L., et al. (2023). Male androgenetic alopecia. Endotext.

                  Aurobindo Pharma Limited. (2023). DUTASTERIDE capsule, liquid filled [package insert]. DailyMed.

                  View All References (3)
                  GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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