Avodart (Dutasteride) - Summary

AVODART SUMMARY

AVODART®
(dutasteride)
Soft Gelatin Capsules

AVODART (dutasteride) is a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound that is a selective inhibitor of both the type 1 and type 2 isoforms of steroid 5(alpha)-reductase (5AR), an intracellular enzyme that converts testosterone to 5(alpha)-dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

AVODART is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate to:

• Improve symptoms
• Reduce the risk of acute urinary retention
• Reduce the risk of the need for BPH-related surgery

See all indications & dosage >>

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Media Articles Related to Avodart (Dutasteride)

Effects Of Once-Daily Tadalafil On Erectile Function In Men With Erectile Dysfunction And Signs And Symptoms Of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Source: Erectile Dysfunction / Premature Ejaculation News From Medical News Today [2009.07.12]
UroToday.com - Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) often suffer from lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS; BPH-LUTS) such as urinary frequency, urgency, intermittency, nocturia, straining, incomplete emptying, or weak urinary stream. BPH-LUTS and erectile dysfunction (ED), both highly prevalent conditions in aging men, are frequently associated in the same men, may have common pathophysiological mechanisms, and contribute negatively to quality of life.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Source: MedicineNet doxazosin mesylate Specialty [2008.06.23]
Title: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 12/31/1997
Last Editorial Review: 6/23/2008

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Published Studies Related to Avodart (Dutasteride)

Preliminary evaluation of the effect of dutasteride on PCA3 in post-DRE urine sediments: a randomized, open-label, parallel-group pilot study. [2009.11.01]
BACKGROUND: Dutasteride is commonly used in patients that are also at risk for prostate cancer (PCa). Therefore, the influence of dutasteride on PCa markers has to be studied. To date, only the effect of dutasteride on serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been studied. This was the first study to investigate the effect of dutasteride on the new PCa marker PCA3, longitudinally and in a dose dependent manner... CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory/pilot study the effect of dutasteride on the PCA3 score was variable. This should be taken into account while using PCA3 in diagnostics. As this study was exploratory, the influence of androgen-deprivation therapy on the PCA3 score should be analyzed further.

The Effect of Dutasteride on the Efficacy of Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind Study (DOP Trial). [2009.10.01]
OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of Dutasteride on the efficacy of GreenLight photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PV). Some investigators have suggested that 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors may interfere with PV by reducing intraprostatic blood flow. Dutasteride offers the most complete blockade of the 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, with minimal increase in side effects... CONCLUSIONS: Compared with patients randomized to placebo, patients randomized to dutasteride experienced a trend toward decreased time, joules used, and blood loss during surgery. Although we could not convincingly prove an operative benefit of treatment with dutasteride before surgery, we have demonstrated the efficacy of PV in men receiving dutasteride.

[Assessment of recommended dose of dutasteride on Japanese men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose response study] [2009.04]
The efficacy, safety and recommended dose of dutasteride on Japanese men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have been assessed in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. A total of 284 patients with BPH were randomized to dutasteride (0.05, 0.5 or 2.5 mg) or placebo once daily for 24 weeks.

Effect of dutasteride, tamsulosin and the combination on patient-reported quality of life and treatment satisfaction in men with moderate-to-severe benign prostatic hyperplasia: 2-year data from the CombAT trial. [2009.04]
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dutasteride and tamsulosin as combined therapy compared with each monotherapy for improving patient-reported health outcomes in men with moderate-to-severe urinary symptoms and prostate enlargement, reporting the pre-planned 2-year analyses from the CombAT trial... CONCLUSIONS: Dutasteride and tamsulosin combined therapy provides significantly greater improvements in patient-reported quality of life and treatment satisfaction than both monotherapies at 2 years, following the trends for clinical improvements in symptom scores and peak urinary flow rates, in men with moderate-to-severe BPH symptoms.

Can dutasteride delay or prevent the progression of prostate cancer in patients with biochemical failure after radical therapy? Rationale and design of the Avodart after Radical Therapy for Prostate Cancer Study. [2009.03]
OBJECTIVE: To describe the Avodart after Radical Therapy for prostate cancer Study (ARTS), investigating the use of dutasteride (a dual 5alpha-reductase inhibitor that suppresses intraprostatic dihydrotestosterone, reduces tumour volume and improves other markers of tumour regression in prostate cancer) to prevent or delay disease progression in patients with biochemical recurrence after therapy with curative intent...

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Clinical Trials Related to Avodart (Dutasteride)

Study On Bioavailability And Pharmacokinetics Of Various Doses Of Testosterone Administered With And Without Dutasteride [Completed]
The combination of testosterone and dutasteride is intended for use in hypogonadal men. This study will evaluate the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of various doses of testosterone administered with and without dutasteride

Oral Androgens in Man-4: (Short Title: Oral T-4) [Completed]
The protocol was designed to address the hypothesis that oral testosterone enanthate plus dutasteride can suppress the secretion of LH and FSH after four weeks of administration. In addition, we will compare the gonadotropin suppression mediated by a dose of testosterone enanthate (400 mg twice daily) that would be expected to maintain the serum testosterone in the normal range throughout the day, with the same dose (800 mg once daily) administered once daily. This larger once-daily dose is expected to result in a higher peak and lower trough by the end of the dosing interval

28-Day Study of Testosterone Co-Administered With Dutasteride in Hypogonadal Men [Terminated]
The combination of testosterone and dutasteride is intended for use in hypogonadal men. This study will evaluate the effect of 28-day repeat dosing of this combination with varying BID doses of testosterone (T), in combination with a fixed BID dose of dutasteride (D), as well as a testosterone alone arm, on T and D levels in the blood. The rationale is to look for the effects of each compound on the other, and to look for any safety problems that may result when the 2 drugs are given together.

A Study To Compare Giving AVODART And FLOMAX Together Or In A Combination Capsule In The Fed And Fasted State [Completed]
AVODART and tamsulosin are to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Studies show that when given together, there is more improvement in symptoms than either drug alone. In this study, we are looking to see if the drugs work the same in the body when giving AVODART and FLOMAX at the same time compared to when they are given in a combination capsule in a fed and fasted state. This study will be in healthy adult males.

Assessment Of Dutasteride (AVODART) In Extending The Time To Progression Of Low-Risk, Localized Prostate Cancer In Men [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of dutasteride on the inhibition of low-risk, localized prostate cancer progression in men who would otherwise receive no active therapy (expectant management).

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PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Avodart review by 35 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Alopecia
Dosage & duration:		.5mg taken daily for the period of 3 years
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Hair maintainance. Without finasteried or dutasteride patient experienced prickly heat on scalp. With treament, the prickly heat stopped. Had previously taken finasteride and hair had regrown to some extent.
Side effects:		Erections were less frequent and not as firm. Patient seemed to think that his personality was somewhat affected as well, becoming more timid.
Comments:		Take one pill daily in the morning. Seldom skipped dosage.