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BPH Resources

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Informational Web sites

For additional information, please visit these sites or contact these organizations. The Web sites listed are external to GlaxoSmithKline. GlaxoSmithKline does not have control over the content of the information provided on these Web sites and therefore does not warrant their accuracy and completeness.

American Medical Association
www.ama-assn.org

American Academy of Family Physicians
www.aafp.org

Discovery Health Channel
www.discoveryhealth.com

Health Finder
www.healthfinder.gov

Mayo Clinic
www.mayohealth.org

Men's Health Network (MHN)
www.menshealthnetwork.org

National Institutes of Health
www.nih.gov


Support Groups
Support groups in your area can usually be found in local libraries and hospitals. Major groups are often listed in the phone book under "social service agencies." Or you can contact the following agencies directly:

American Urological Association Foundation, Inc.
1000 Corporate Boulevard
Linthicum, MD 21090
Toll-Free (U.S. only): 1-866-RING AUA (1-866-746-4282)
www.urologyhealth.org

National Kidney and Urologic Diseases
Information Clearinghouse
3 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3580
1-800-891-5390
www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov

Frequently Asked Questions.

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common condition in which the prostate grows and places pressure on the urethra , causing bothersome urinary symptoms in some men.

Learn more about BPH Symptoms Back to Top »


Who's at risk for symptomatic BPH with an enlarged prostate?

The likelihood of developing BPH increases with age. Though the prostate continues to grow during most of a man's life, this growth doesn't usually cause problems until later in life.

Learn more about BPH Symptoms Back to Top »


What are the urinary symptoms of BPH or enlarged prostate?
Symptoms associated with BPH can include:

  • Feeling the need to urinate frequently
  • Difficulty starting to urinate
  • Difficulty emptying your bladder completely, and because of this, urine may dribble after you are done
  • A weak urine stream that starts and stops
  • Frequently going at night
  • Sudden strong urges to urinate

Learn more about BPH Symptoms Back to Top »


What is a PSA test?

The PSA test is a routine blood test that checks for the amount of PSA in your blood. 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.

Learn more about the Routine Blood Test Back to Top »


How does AVODART work?

Prostate growth is mainly caused by a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). AVODART lowers DHT production in the body.

Learn more at How AVODART Works Back to Top »


How do I know if AVODART is right for me?

By discussing your symptoms and the severity of your condition, your healthcare provider can decide the best BPH treatment plan for you.

Learn more at Talk to Your Doctor Back to Top »


What are the benefits of AVODART?
Over time, AVODART may:

  • Shrink the prostate
  • Improve urinary symptoms
  • Reduce the risk of needing prostate surgery
  • Reduce the risk of developing acute urinary retention (AUR), the sudden inability to urinate

Learn more at Why AVODART Back to Top »


What's the recommended dosage?

The recommended dosage of AVODART is 1 capsule (0.5 mg) taken once a day with or without food. Swallow the capsule whole because the contents of the capsule may irritate your lips, mouth, or throat.

Back to Top »

How soon will I begin to see symptom improvement?

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

Learn more at How AVODART Works Back to Top »


Why did my doctor prescribe 2 different medications?

There are two medications that can be used together to treat symptomatic BPH in men with an enlarged prostate — tamsulosin and AVODART. Tamsulosin relaxes muscles in the prostate and neck of the bladder. This can help improve urinary symptoms. On the other hand, AVODART improves symptoms and reduces the size of the prostate over time.

Learn more about AVODART + tamsulosin Back to Top »


Important Safety Information About AVODART

AVODART is for adult men only. Women should not take or touch AVODART due to risk of a specific birth defect. If a woman comes in contact with leaking AVODART Capsules, she should wash the contact area immediately with soap and water.

Do not take AVODART if you are allergic to dutasteride, finasteride, or any of the ingredients in AVODART.

AVODART may cause rare and serious allergic reactions, including swelling of your face, tongue, or throat, and serious skin reactions, such as skin peeling. Get medical help right away if you have these serious allergic reactions.

Your healthcare provider may check you for other prostate problems, including prostate cancer, before you start and while you take AVODART. A blood test called PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is sometimes used to see if you might have prostate cancer. AVODART will reduce the amount of PSA measured in your blood. Your healthcare provider is aware of this effect and can still use PSA to see if you might have prostate cancer. Increases in your PSA levels while on treatment with AVODART (even if the PSA levels are in the normal range) should be evaluated by your healthcare provider.

AVODART may cause serious side effects including a higher chance of a more serious form of prostate cancer.

Only your healthcare provider can tell if your symptoms are due to BPH or a more serious condition like prostate cancer. See your doctor for regular exams.

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

The most common side effects of AVODART include trouble getting or keeping an erection (impotence), a decrease in sex drive (libido), ejaculation problems and enlarged or painful breasts. Dizziness and an increase in drug-related ejaculation disorders also occurred with combination therapy (AVODART and tamsulosin).

Some types of medicines should be used with caution when taken with AVODART, such as ritonavir.

Before you take AVODART, tell your doctor if you have liver disease.

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.

Complete Prescribing Information for AVODART 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.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Important Safety Information About AVODART

AVODART is for adult men only. Women should not take or touch AVODART due to risk of a specific birth defect. If a woman comes in contact with leaking AVODART Capsules, she should wash the contact area immediately with soap and water.

Do not take AVODART if you are allergic to dutasteride, finasteride, or any of the ingredients in AVODART.

Additional Important Safety Information continued below.

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