About Enlarging Prostate

The prostate gland forms part of the male reproductive system. It is a gland responsible for male sexual function and reproduction.¹

In many men, the prostate gland continues to grow when they are in their 50s, and it may continue to grow for the rest of their lives.² Studies show that Enlarging Prostate, or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition that affects nearly 50% of men over the age of 50 and 80% of men over 80.³

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 can lead to bothersome urinary symptoms and may even require surgery.⁴

Enlarging Prostate is not life threatening, but you and your doctor need to keep an eye on it so that it does not get worse, possibly leading to more serious problems—even surgery.⁵

AVODART is a medication that treats Enlarging Prostate. Over time, AVODART may provide the following long-term benefits:⁶

Shrinking the prostate
Improvement of urinary symptoms
Lowering the chance of surgery for an enlarging prostate

Without treatment, things could get worse. Ask your doctor if AVODART is right for you.⁶

References:

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Available at: http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostateenlargement/index.htm. Accessed July 12, 2007.
NIH Guide: Prostate Growth in Older Men: Age Dependent Mechanisms. Available at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-93-052.html. Accessed July 11, 2007.
Kaplan SA. Benign prostatic hyperplasia and enlarged prostate guidelines: how they can be useful to primary care. Weill Medical College of Cornell University Reports on Men's Urologic Health. 2006;1:1-18.
Medline Plus. Medical Encyclopedia: Enlarged Prostate. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000381.htm. Accessed July 11, 1007.
Emberton M, Andriole GL, de la Rosette J, et al. Benign prostatic hyperplasia : a progressive disease of aging men. Urology. 2003;61:267-273.
Avodart [prescribing information]. Research Triangle Park, NC: GlaxoSmithKline; 2005.

Indication and Important Safety Information About AVODART^® (dutasteride):

AVODART is used to treat urinary symptoms of Enlarging Prostate, and to reduce 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 Enlarging Prostate 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. 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

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