If Left Untreated

If left untreated, Enlarging Prostate can continue to grow over time, potentially leading to prostate surgery and other serious problems.¹

In very severe cases, the prostate becomes so large that it completely blocks the flow of urine from the bladder. This condition—known as acute urinary retention (AUR)—is a medical emergency.

Patients with acute urinary retention (AUR) must have a catheter inserted through the penis into the bladder to relieve pressure and restart the flow of urine. In some cases, surgery may also be needed.²

Enlarging Prostate is not life threatening. If left untreated, an enlarging prostate may eventually lead to³:

Acute urinary retention (AUR)—A medical emergency, where the prostate becomes so large that it completely blocks the flow of urine from the bladder⁴
Urination that you can't control (incontinence)⁵
Urinary stones⁶
Kidney damage⁶
Bladder infections⁶
Prostate surgery⁶

That's why it's important to treat the cause of Enlarged Prostate and not just the symptoms. Over time, AVODART reduces the size of the enlarged prostate, treating the cause of the disease while improving bothersome urinary symptoms.⁷

References:

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.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms: Questions and Answers. Available at: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/patient/mtops/mtops-q&a.htm. Accessed July 12, 2007.
Emberton M, Andriole GL, de la Rosette J, et al. Benign prostatic hyperplasia : a progressive disease of aging men. Urology. 2003;61:267-273.
Jacobsen SJ, Girman CJ, Leiber MM. Natural history of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology. 2001;58(suppl 6A):5-16.
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.
Medline Plus. Medical Encyclopedia: Enlarged Prostate. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000381.htm. Accessed July 11, 1007.
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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