Avodart for Prostate: Benefits and Risks You Need to Know

The risk of developing an enlarged prostate gland, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), increases for men as they age. Avodart is a prescription medication used to treat enlarged prostate.

Avodart is the brand name of the generic drug dutasteride, according to MedicineNet. It belongs to a class of drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. The enzyme 5-alpha reductase is used by the body to produce dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male hormone responsible for enlarged prostate. Avodart works by blocking this enzyme and thereby preventing excessive DHT production. This can slow the progression of enlarged prostate.

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According to Mayo Clinic, Avodart is frequently prescribed with another BPH medication called Flomax. This combination of drugs is effective for treating the enlarged prostate itself and alleviating the associated urinary symptoms like a weak urine stream, frequent urination, and the inability to completely empty the bladder during urination. The effects of Avodart are only seen as long as it is taken, and the prostate may begin to swell again if the treatment is discontinued.

RxList said the possible side effects of Avodart include:

• Decreased libido
• Breast tenderness or breast enlargement
• Impotence, or difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection
• Abnormal ejaculation

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When prescribed with Flomax, ejaculation disorders are more common than with Avodart alone. With the Avodart and Flomax dual treatment, dizziness is also a common side effect, said RxList.

Mayo Clinic warned that taking Avodart could increase the risk of developing a high-grade prostate cancer, and it can skew the results of the blood test commonly used to detect prostate cancer. Your physician can assess your personal risk of prostate cancer and determine if taking Avodart is safe.

Because all prescription medications can have adverse interactions with other drugs and herbal supplements you may be taking, it is important to let your doctor know all of the medications you are taking.

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