All About Avodart for Treating Male Pattern Baldness
Posted 04-11-2008 at 07:46 AM by szo
Dutasteride (Avodart) blocks the conversion of testosterone, the male reproductive hormone, into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is initially produced to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland, which is caused by the DHT. It has been officially approved for this treatment and further studies were made for male pattern baldness treatment. Male pattern baldness is the progressive hair loss on the crown (vertex) and on the temporal sides of the head (anterior mid-scalp area) which is also caused by DHT.
Clinical trials for hair loss treatment were discontinued in late 2002, without any public announcement about the reason. Speculations were made that Avodart was too similar to Finasteride (Propecia), the brand developed by Merck & Co. and was approved by FDA for hair loss treatment. Results from clinical trials stated, however, that Dutasteride 2.5mg produced more hair growth than Finasteride 5mg after several weeks of intake. Another 6 months study by the manufacturer, Glaxo Smith Kline, last December 2006 was made in Korea to test the effectiveness of Dustateride (0.5mg) taken once daily for the treatment of hair loss. FDA’s approval or disapproval of this Phase III for the treatment of hair loss is still be determined.
Avodart has been indicated for BPH as it results to the shrinkage of the enlarged protate in most men but size reduction and improvement of the symptoms takes time. After 3 months of treatment, some men experience fewer problems and symptoms, but a period of at least 6 months is necessary to see its efficiency.
Avodart is an FDA-Approved drug for the treatment of BPH which gives results like improved symptoms, lowering the risk of complete blockage of urine flow (acute urinary retention), and reducing the need for surgery.
Important information should be taken into consideration and should be followed in taking Dutasteride. This medication should only be given to men. It should be kept out of reach of children. It should never be given to women who are or may become pregnant. It has been reported to cause birth defects to male fetus’ reproductive organ. Broken tablets should not be handled by pregnant women as the active ingredient can be absorbed by the skin. Blood donation could only be done at least 6 months after the intake of this drug to prevent pregnant women from receiving it through blood transfusion. Persons with liver disease should inform their doctor about the disease so that special monitoring or dosage adjustment should be made.
Take Dutasteride exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Take it with a full glass of water and swallow the capsules whole. Never chew or break the capsule. It can be taken with or without food. Do not stop the medication without consulting the doctor because long treatment is necessary before you see any results. Store it in room temperature and away from moisture and heat. Cracked or leaking capsules should not be used and inform your pharmacist about it.
During treatment, if allergic reaction develops such as difficulty of breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives, stop medication and seek emergency medical treatment. Other side effects are mild and transient, and discontinuation of medication is not necessary. Just inform your doctor if you experience sexual related symptoms like decreased sex drive (libido), decreased semen output, impotence, and breast tenderness or enlargement (gynecomastia).
Precautions should be done when you are taking the following medicines below and inform the doctor about it because you may need a special monitoring or dosage adjustment:
- Antihypertensive drugs such as Diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Cardizem SR, CArtia XT, Dilacor XR, Tiazac); or Verapamil (Calan, Calan SR, Covera-HS, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM)
- Protease inhibitor drugs like Amprenavir (Agenerase), Indinavir (Crixivan), Nelfinavir (Viracept), Ritonavir (Norvir), or Saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase)
- Antifungal such as Itraconazole (Sporanox) or Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB, others), an antacid
- Erythromicin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Eryc, E.E.S., others), an antibiotic
Always remember that this medication is for MEN ONLY, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Clinical trials for hair loss treatment were discontinued in late 2002, without any public announcement about the reason. Speculations were made that Avodart was too similar to Finasteride (Propecia), the brand developed by Merck & Co. and was approved by FDA for hair loss treatment. Results from clinical trials stated, however, that Dutasteride 2.5mg produced more hair growth than Finasteride 5mg after several weeks of intake. Another 6 months study by the manufacturer, Glaxo Smith Kline, last December 2006 was made in Korea to test the effectiveness of Dustateride (0.5mg) taken once daily for the treatment of hair loss. FDA’s approval or disapproval of this Phase III for the treatment of hair loss is still be determined.
Avodart has been indicated for BPH as it results to the shrinkage of the enlarged protate in most men but size reduction and improvement of the symptoms takes time. After 3 months of treatment, some men experience fewer problems and symptoms, but a period of at least 6 months is necessary to see its efficiency.
Avodart is an FDA-Approved drug for the treatment of BPH which gives results like improved symptoms, lowering the risk of complete blockage of urine flow (acute urinary retention), and reducing the need for surgery.
Important information should be taken into consideration and should be followed in taking Dutasteride. This medication should only be given to men. It should be kept out of reach of children. It should never be given to women who are or may become pregnant. It has been reported to cause birth defects to male fetus’ reproductive organ. Broken tablets should not be handled by pregnant women as the active ingredient can be absorbed by the skin. Blood donation could only be done at least 6 months after the intake of this drug to prevent pregnant women from receiving it through blood transfusion. Persons with liver disease should inform their doctor about the disease so that special monitoring or dosage adjustment should be made.
Take Dutasteride exactly as prescribed by the doctor. Take it with a full glass of water and swallow the capsules whole. Never chew or break the capsule. It can be taken with or without food. Do not stop the medication without consulting the doctor because long treatment is necessary before you see any results. Store it in room temperature and away from moisture and heat. Cracked or leaking capsules should not be used and inform your pharmacist about it.
During treatment, if allergic reaction develops such as difficulty of breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives, stop medication and seek emergency medical treatment. Other side effects are mild and transient, and discontinuation of medication is not necessary. Just inform your doctor if you experience sexual related symptoms like decreased sex drive (libido), decreased semen output, impotence, and breast tenderness or enlargement (gynecomastia).
Precautions should be done when you are taking the following medicines below and inform the doctor about it because you may need a special monitoring or dosage adjustment:
- Antihypertensive drugs such as Diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Cardizem SR, CArtia XT, Dilacor XR, Tiazac); or Verapamil (Calan, Calan SR, Covera-HS, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM)
- Protease inhibitor drugs like Amprenavir (Agenerase), Indinavir (Crixivan), Nelfinavir (Viracept), Ritonavir (Norvir), or Saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase)
- Antifungal such as Itraconazole (Sporanox) or Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- Cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB, others), an antacid
- Erythromicin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Eryc, E.E.S., others), an antibiotic
Always remember that this medication is for MEN ONLY, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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