Dutasteride and Avodart® Guide for BPH and Hair Loss

What Dutasteride Is and How It Works

Dutasteride is a 5‑alpha‑reductase inhibitor used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It blocks type I and type II enzymes that convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Lower DHT helps shrink an enlarged prostate, ease urinary symptoms, and reduce the risk of acute urinary retention and surgery. It is taken as an oral dutasteride 0.5 mg capsule once daily. Some clinicians also prescribe dutasteride for hair loss in men. People who want to buy dutasteride without insurance can order through our pharmacy with a valid prescription.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba, where licensed pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing; we offer brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices and OTC health products, with online and phone ordering and customer-service chat during posted hours.

We also partner with licensed, vetted international pharmacies so patients can access authentic brand medications across a broad range at prices kept affordable.

For BPH, treatment aims to improve weak stream, hesitancy, incomplete emptying, and nighttime urination. For hair, dutasteride reduces scalp DHT, which can support dutasteride hair regrowth in men with androgenetic alopecia when prescribed for that purpose. The medicine is not approved for use in women or children.

Dosage and Usage

• Usual adult dose for BPH: dutasteride 0.5 mg once daily.
• Take consistently, with or without food, at the same time each day.
• Swallow capsules whole. Do not chew, crush, or open.
• If a dose is missed and it is close to the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double up.
• Benefits build gradually. Several months of continuous therapy are often needed.
• Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not handle leaking capsules due to risk to a male fetus.
• Do not donate blood during treatment and for 6 months after the last dose.
• Dutasteride lowers PSA about 50% after 6 months; clinicians account for this when evaluating results.

• Storage: store at 20–25 °C (68–77 °F); excursions 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) permitted.
• Keep in the original, tightly closed container with desiccant. Protect from moisture and light.
• Do not freeze. Avoid heat sources (cars, radiators, direct sun).
• Travel: pack in carry-on with the labeled bottle. Keep dry and at room temperature.
• Time zones: keep a roughly 24‑hour interval between doses.
• Do not use capsules that are deformed, discolored, or leaking.

Benefits and Savings

Dutasteride can reduce prostate size and improve urinary flow over time. It lowers the risk of urinary retention and BPH-related surgery. Once-daily dosing and small capsules make long-term use straightforward. For hair, steady DHT suppression may help maintain or increase scalp coverage when prescribed for that purpose.

Buying at Canadian prices often brings 60–80% savings compared with typical US pharmacy costs. Many patients compare dutasteride cost across fills and choose generic dutasteride to lower expenses. Those looking for dutasteride without insurance can still access affordable pricing through our service. Multi-month supplies may reduce the per‑month dutasteride price.

For extra value, see current dutasteride coupon offers on our promotions page.

Side Effects and Safety

• Decreased libido
• Erectile dysfunction
• Ejaculation disorders (reduced semen volume)
• Gynecomastia (breast tenderness or enlargement)
• Dizziness or fatigue
• Rash or itching
• Rare mood changes, including low mood

Serious reactions are uncommon. Seek prompt care for signs of allergic reaction (hives, swelling, trouble breathing). 5‑alpha‑reductase inhibitors reduce overall prostate cancer diagnoses but may be linked to a small increase in high‑grade cases; clinicians monitor with exams and PSA (which is lowered by treatment). Dutasteride is contraindicated in pregnancy and should not be used by women or children. Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors may increase dutasteride levels; prescribers review potential interactions.

Onset Time

Symptom relief for BPH is gradual. Some patients notice changes by 4–8 weeks, with more meaningful improvements at 3–6 months. Maximum effect on prostate size and urinary outcomes can take 6–12 months of continuous dosing. For hair, visible changes often require 3–6 months, with continued gains up to a year as treatment stabilizes.

Compare With Alternatives

Finasteride is another 5‑alpha‑reductase inhibitor. It blocks type II only, while dutasteride inhibits types I and II. For BPH, finasteride is typically taken at 5 mg daily; for hair loss, finasteride 1 mg is common. Choice depends on response, tolerability, and prescriber preference.

Alpha‑blockers such as tamsulosin relax bladder neck and prostate smooth muscle. They act quickly on urinary symptoms but do not shrink the prostate. Many patients start with an alpha‑blocker for faster relief and continue a 5‑alpha‑reductase inhibitor for long‑term control. Explore background on the condition in our Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Bph page.

Brand Avodart contains dutasteride 0.5 mg and is clinically equivalent to approved generics. Patients who prefer the brand can review Avodart® alongside generic options and discuss the avodart price and avodart cost with their prescriber and pharmacist.

Combination Therapy

• Dutasteride plus an alpha‑blocker (for example, tamsulosin) for both symptom relief and prostate size reduction.
• Dutasteride with tadalafil 5 mg daily when lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction coexist; dosing may be adjusted to reduce side effects.
• Dutasteride with bladder agents (antimuscarinics or beta‑3 agonists) in men with overactive bladder features, under prescriber guidance.
• Combination with finasteride is not typical, as both inhibit 5‑alpha‑reductase.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Good candidates include adult men with an enlarged prostate on exam or imaging, particularly those at risk of retention or surgery. It is not for women or children, and exposure to leaking capsules should be avoided during pregnancy. Caution is advised in significant liver disease. Baseline and periodic PSA testing help guide monitoring, recognizing that PSA falls by about half during therapy.

Drug interactions are limited but can occur with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (for example, ketoconazole). Inform the prescriber of all medicines and supplements. For hair, dutasteride for hair loss is off‑label; prescribers determine if benefits outweigh risks and discuss expectations for dutasteride hair regrowth.

To reduce costs, consider generic dutasteride, compare 30‑ vs 90‑day fills, and use reorder reminders to avoid gaps in therapy. Multi‑month purchases may lower the monthly dutasteride cost, and avodart generic products can offer further savings. Patients who need to buy dutasteride online often find better value when purchasing dutasteride for sale in larger quantities.

Those who buy dutasteride without insurance can still access competitive pricing by choosing generics and watching for promotions.

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prescribing Information for Avodart (dutasteride)

Health Canada Drug Product Database: Dutasteride

GSK Product Information: Avodart (dutasteride)

Order Dutasteride from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express, cold-chain handling.

This material is for educational purposes and does not replace advice from a licensed healthcare professional. Always consult your prescriber or pharmacist about diagnosis, treatment, and medication use.