Jalyn for Prostate: Benefits and Risks You Need to Know

Enlarged prostate gland, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a significant concern for men as they age. Jalyn is a prescription medication used to treat enlarged prostate and minimize its symptoms at the same time.

Jalyn is the brand name of the generic drug combination dutasteride/tamsulosin HCl, according to Mayo Clinic. It consists of two drugs marketed separately as Avodart (dutasteride) and Flomax (tamsulosin) that are often prescribed together for BPH. Dutasteride blocks the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase that is used by the body to produce dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male hormone partially responsible for enlarged prostate. Preventing excessive DHT production slows the progression of enlarged prostate. However, if Jalyn is discontinued the prostate could resume swelling again.

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At the same time, tamsulosin helps to relieve the urinary symptoms associated with BPH such as a weak urine stream, need to urinate frequently and trouble with beginning to urinate, said WebMD. It can take up to four weeks to notice an improvement in the symptoms, and patients should contact their doctor if they are not experiencing relief or if symptoms worsen.

Drugs.com described the less serious side effects of Jalyn:

• Decreased libido
• Decrease in amount of semen during ejaculation
• Breast tenderness or breast enlargement
• Impotence, or difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection
• Runny nose
• Mild dizziness

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Drugs.com also cautioned patients to stop taking Jalyn immediately if they experience an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours or if they feel like passing out.

Because Jalyn can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, patients should be careful when getting up from a sitting or lying position because dizziness can result, said Mayo Clinic. Using caution when operating machinery or driving while taking Jalyn also is advised. Additionally, Jalyn can cause complications during cataract eye surgery, so patients planning this procedure must tell their doctor if they have taken Jalyn in the past nine months.

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