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Just a Part of
Aging or BPH?
The prostate gland forms part of the male reproductive system. It is a gland responsible for male sexual function and reproduction.
The prostate typically grows during two specific periods of time throughout a man's life. It doubles in size early in puberty, and then some time around the age of 25, it goes through a second growth phase.
In many men, the prostate gland may continue to grow when they are in their 50s. This continued growth of the prostate is the disease referred to as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate. Studies show that 50% of men over the age of 50 have an enlarged prostate.
As the prostate grows, it puts pressure on the urethra—the tube that carries urine and semen out of the penis. This increasing pressure on the urethra may cause bothersome urinary symptoms and in rare cases may even lead to prostate surgery. Some studies have shown that 4 out of 100 men who were not taking medicine for an enlarged prostate had prostate surgery.
The health of your prostate is important, so be sure to discuss any urinary symptoms you may be experiencing with your doctor right away. If you do have BPH, there are treatments available.
AVODART is a medication that treats BPH and, over time, has been shown to:
- Shrink an enlarged prostate
- Provide long-term symptom improvement
- Reduce the risk of AUR and prostate surgery
Ask your doctor if AVODART is right for you.
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.
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