Simple Blood Test

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PSA, which stands for prostate-specific antigen, is a protein made by the prostate gland. Adult men have some level of PSA in their blood.

Men 50 and older should talk to their doctors about whether getting a PSA test is appropriate for them.

The PSA test is a simple blood test that checks for the amount of PSA in your blood. Because PSA levels rise whenever there is a disturbance to the prostate, this test can help alert physicians of conditions like prostate cancer, BPH or enlarged prostate, and prostatitis.

Talk to your doctor to determine if getting a PSA test is appropriate for you.

Do you have BPH?

NEXT: Why AVODART?

Important Safety
Information About
AVODART® (dutasteride):

Only your health care
provider can tell if your
symptoms are from
BPH and not a more
serious condition
such as prostate
cancer. See your doctor
for regular exams.

Additional Important
Safety Information
continued below.

Indication and Important Safety Information About AVODART® (dutasteride)
AVODART alone and in combination with the alpha blocker tamsulosin is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate to improve symptoms. AVODART alone also reduces the risk of acute urinary retention (AUR) and prostate surgery. AUR is a condition, possibly requiring surgery, where the prostate is so enlarged that it completely blocks urine coming from the bladder.

Only your health care provider can tell if your symptoms are from BPH and not a more serious condition, such as prostate cancer. See your doctor for regular exams.

Women and children should not take AVODART. Women who are or could become pregnant should not handle AVODART due to the potential risk of a specific birth defect.

Do not donate blood until at least 6 months after stopping AVODART.

Tell your doctor if you have liver disease. AVODART may not be right for you.

Possible side effects, including sexual side effects and swelling or tenderness of the breast, occur infrequently. Dizziness and an increase in drug-related ejaculation disorders also occurred with combination therapy (AVODART and tamsulosin).

While some men have fewer problems and symptoms after 3 months of treatment with AVODART, a treatment period of at least 6 months is usually necessary to see if AVODART will work for you.

Click here for complete Prescribing Information for AVODART Soft Gelatin Capsules, 0.5 mg.

Complete Prescribing Information for AVODART Soft Gelatin Capsules, 0.5 mg, is provided in Adobe's Portable Document Format (PDF). To view these documents you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader; if you do not have it, follow the link to download a copy.

If you are unable to or do not wish to download Acrobat Reader, but still wish to receive complete Prescribing Information,
please click here.