Dutasteride is an androgen hormone inhibitor. Dutasteride is in a class of medications called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Dutasteride is used to treat an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) in men. It blocks the production of a natural substance that enlarges the prostate. It relieves symptoms of BPH like frequent and difficult urination. It also decreases the chance of surgery that may be needed to treat this condition. Use of Dutasteride is not recommended in women and children. To know more about the uses of this medicine, you will need to speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Dutasteride comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. When you are taking Dutasteride, it is strongly recommended that you understand and follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. You should not increase or decrease the dose or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Dutasteride must be taken regularly for three to six weeks before it shows full effect. To help you remember to take Dutasteride, take it around the same time everyday. Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor.

Consult your doctor about the possible side effects of using Dutasteride for your condition. Your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

In case of overdose, you need to call your local poison control center. If the victim is unconscious or not breathing, you need to call local emergency services.

Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to Dutasteride. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. If using this medicine for an extended period, obtain refills before your supply runs out. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

If you missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Dutasteride should be stored in the container it came in. Make sure that the container remains tightly closed and out of reach of children when not in use. Dutasteride should be stored at room temperature and away from places like bathroom where it could experience excess heat and moisture. When the medicine is not in use or outdated, it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly.

This medicine can affect the results of the blood test used to detect prostate cancer (PSA). Hence, if you are having such test, inform the laboratory personnel and your doctors That you are using this medicine. Do not donate blood until at least 6 months after your last dose. This is to prevent exposure to this medicine through a blood transfusion to a pregnant woman. Before you begin taking any new medicine (either prescription or over-the-counter), check with your doctor or pharmacist.

This medicine may be absorbed through the skin. Hence, any pregnant woman should not handle crushed or broken capsules of this medicine. If a pregnant woman is exposed to crushed or broken tablets of this medicine then contact your doctor as soon as possible. It is unknown if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. However, this medicine should not be used in women. Any contact with this medicine by a developing male fetus could result in abnormal male sex organ development.