Avodart Side Effects

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Avodart is a prescription drug contaIning dutaseride. Avodart is used to treat benign, or non-cancerous, prostate enlargement, reducing the risk of urinary blockage and the need for surgery.^[1] Avodart users have demonstrated long-term improvement, as the drug can effectively shrink the prostate and help to prevent the development of acute urinary retention (AUR). These benefits of Avodart were observed over four years of clinical study. Avodart has been shown especially effective when combined with the drug tamsulosin, in Flomax.

Avodart side effects can include a loss of interest in sexual activity, difficulty with ejaculation, impotence or the inability to achieve and sustain an erection.^[1]

Contents 1 Common Avodart Side Effects 2 About Drug Side Effects 3 Avodart Allergic Reactions 4 Avodart Precautions and Warnings 5 References

Common Avodart Side Effects

The most common Avodart side effects are sexual symptoms such as a loss of interest in sexual activity, inability to achieve or maintain an erection (impotence), or problems with ejaculation, as well as breast swelling or tenderness. The combination of Avodart and tamsulosin also commonly causes dizziness and ejaculation problems.^[1]

About Drug Side Effects

Avodart Allergic Reactions

Rarely, Avodart may cause allergic reactions that require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of such a reaction are swollen face, throat or tongue; hives; difficulty breathing; and dizzy feelings.^[3] Those who are allergic to male pattern baldness drug finasteride (in Propecia or other 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors will likely have reactions to Avodart.^[1]

Avodart Precautions and Warnings

• Avodart is only use in men, and is not FDA-approved for females.^[2]
• Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not even handle the Avodart capsules, since the drug is absorbed through the skin and may cause birth defects.^[2]
• Drinking grapefruit juice can affect Avodart.^[2]
• Avodart will affect the level of a man's prostate-specific antigen, or PSA. Doctors will monitor PSA with a new baseline level about three months into therapy. Any increase in PSA levels during Avodart therapy, even if they fall within normal limits, may be an indication of prostate cancer.^[4]
• Patients taking Avodart are directed not to donate blood until treatment has been halted for at least six months.^[2]
• Avodart may interfere with certain laboratory tests, so patients taking the drug are advised to make sure all of their doctors know that they are being treated with Avodart.^[2]
• Avodart can cause interactions when taken with antifungal drugs like Nizoral; heartburn medications like Tagamet; and drugs Cipro, Cardizem, Tiazac, Dilacor, TAO, Calan, and others. Patients are advised to inform their doctors of every prescription or non-prescription drug use, as well as any vitamins or supplements they are taking, before using Avodart.^[2]
• It can take at least three months, and often up to six months, to determine whether or not Avodart will be effective.^[1]

Also See: Avodart Coupons, Drug Side Effects, Erectile Dysfunction Drugs Patient Assistance Programs Drug Samples Drug Coupons

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7} http://www.avodart.com/why-avodart.html
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000210/
3. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-64373-Avodart+Oral.aspx?drugid=64373&drugname=Avodart+Oral
4. ↑ http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/ucm218858.htm