Warnings
Dutasteride (Avodart) Risks, Warnings, and Complications
Dutasteride can cause or worsen health problems in some people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for an enlarged prostate if you are at an increased risk of complications from this medication. Some of the risks of taking dutasteride include:
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Precautions Before Starting Dutasteride (Avodart)
Tell your doctor if you have ever had allergic reactions to dutasteride, any of the active or inactive ingredients in dutasteride (Avodart) capsules, other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride (Proscar, Propecia), or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.
Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible drug interactions.
Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while on dutasteride.
Give your doctor a complete medical history. Dutasteride may not be safe for men with certain health conditions, such as prostate cancer or liver disease.
Precautions During Use of Dutasteride (Avodart)
Keep all your medical and lab appointments during treatment with dutasteride.
Do not donate blood for at least 6 months after your last dose of dutasteride.
Dutasteride is for adult men only. Women, especially pregnant women, should not come in contact with this medicine (it can be absorbed through the skin). If a pregnant woman comes in contact with a leaking dutasteride capsule, wash the contacted area with soap and water immediately.
Tell all your health care providers you are on dutasteride before any surgery, including dental procedures.
Dutasteride (Avodart) Drug Interactions
Certain other drugs can affect how dutasteride works. Possible interactions between dutasteride and other drugs can increase the risk of severe adverse reactions. Some of the medications that can interact with dutasteride include:
- Antifungal medications such as ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- H2 blockers such as cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Certain antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and troleandomycin (TAO)
- Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, Dilacor) and verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Covera, Isoptin)
- HIV drugs such as ritonavir (Norvir)
The above list may not describe all the potential interactions of dutasteride. Give your doctor or pharmacist a list of all the medicines you are taking, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription and over-the-counter medications.
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