Avodart Information

Avodart is an androgen hormone inhibitor used in men to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is swelling of the prostate. This medicine works by lowering the amount of the hormone responsible for prostate growth.

Avodart reduces urinary blockage and improves urine flow. This medicine should not be used in women and children.

Avodart Mechanism

Avodart contains the active ingredient dutasteride, which is a type of medicine called a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor.

Male Urinary System & Prostate

Avodart works by inhibiting the action of a compound in the body called 5-alpha reductase. Avodart (Dutasteride) is called an enzyme, and is responsible for converting the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a more active form of testosterone.

The enlargement of the prostate gland, (known medically as benign prostatic hyperplasia), which often occurs in men with advancing age, is dependant upon testosterone being converted to DHT within the prostate gland. In the absence of DHT the prostate gland shrinks. By decreasing the amount of testosterone that is converted into DHT, dutasteride therefore helps to shrink the prostate gland.

The prostate gland is found only in men and lies at the top of the tube connecting the bladder to the outside (urethra). Enlargement of the prostate causes it to press on the urethra and bladder and can cause urinary symptoms such as difficulty passing urine and increased need to urinate, particularly at night. By shrinking the prostate, dutasteride relieves the pressure on the bladder and urethra. This allows urine to flow freely past the prostate and relieves the urinary symptoms associated with this condition.

Avodart is used to relieve moderate to severe symptoms of BPH and to reduce the risk of developing a complete inability to pass urine (acute urinary retention) that may require surgery.

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Avodart Special information

Most important fact about Avodart: Avodart can be absorbed through the skin. Because the drug could affect a developing baby, pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, and breastfeeding women should strictly avoid skin contact with the drug.

Special Precautions if you are pregnant or breast feeding: Because Avodart can be absorbed through the skin, pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, and breastfeeding women should strictly avoid skin contact with the drug. If Avodart is accidentally absorbed by a pregnant woman who is carrying a male fetus, the drug could cause abnormal development of the baby's genital organs. Because it's not known if Avodart appears in breast milk, breastfeeding women must also avoid handling the drug.

Why Avodart should not be prescribed?

You should not take Avodart if you have ever had an allergic reaction to it or to similar drugs such as finasteride (Proscar).

Women and children should not use Avodart.

Avodart reduces urinary blockage and improves urine flow. This medicine should not be used in women and children.

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