![]() | |||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
How does Dutasteride (Generic Avodart) work?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which itself is a derivative of testosterone. Testosterone gets converted into DHT due to the effect of enzymes called 5-alpha reductase. Dutasteride's work is to block these enzymes, which assist in the treatment of the situation.
Following multiple clinical trials, FDA gave GSK approval to sell Dutasteride with the brand name Avodart. This medication however, has also been in the news and talked about in forums due to its rumoured potential as treatment of male pattern baldness. Clinical trials for the same are still underway and GSK has not yet filed any application with FDA for its approval on this side.
Side effects of Dutasteride (Generic Avodart)
There are generic alternatives of Avodart available that also contain the active ingredient Dutasteride. All of these medications share common Avodart side effects which include impotence, decreased libido, breast disorders.. While the conditions are not dangerous, the symptoms might become severe in case of an overdose. Hence it is very important to follow the dosage guidelines prescribed by your doctor, and take the dose at a fixed time everyday.
Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) introduced the drug Avodart onto the market as a prescription drug in 2002 as a treatment for enlarged prostate gland in men. Avodart decreases the amount of dihydroxytestosterone (DHT) in the body, thus allowing the prostate gland to shrink. When the prostate is smaller, it places less pressure on the urinary tract, thereby relieving painful urinary symptoms that often accompany an enlarged prostate.
In 2006, Avodart was granted approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of male pattern hair loss. Often, drugs that decrease circulating levels of DHT cause male pattern baldness to slow or even reverse. A small number of patients taking Avodart experience decreased sex drive, so prospective patients must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of this or any drug before beginning treatment.
Since the drug came on the market, consumers have been anxiously awaiting news of a generic version of Avodart, which can cost up to $100 US for one month’s treatment. Because of the clamor for such a generic, a number of Internet sites have sprung up offering their own “generic” version of Avodart. However, the patent for Avodart does not expire until 2013, and it won’t be until after that time that a generic equivalent of the active ingredient of Avodart will be available.
celexa |norvasc |biaxin |zyban |chloramphenicol |desyrel |cialis |calan |decadron |lexapro |