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What Is Dutasteride?

Dutasteride is a prescription 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor used for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate. Treatment improves urinary symptoms and reduces the risk of acute urinary retention and BPH-related surgery. It is also used with tamsulosin for symptomatic BPH.

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What Is Dutasteride?

Dutasteride is a prescription 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor used for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate. Treatment improves urinary symptoms and reduces the risk of acute urinary retention and BPH-related surgery. It is also used with tamsulosin for symptomatic BPH.

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How Does Dutasteride Affect DHT?

Dutasteride competitively inhibits type 1 and type 2 5 alpha-reductase, the enzymes that convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone contributes to prostate growth and enlargement. Lowering DHT can reduce prostate volume over time and improve symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.

Who Is Treated With Dutasteride?

Dutasteride is indicated for men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia and an enlarged prostate. It is not approved for prevention of prostate cancer. Other urologic conditions that produce similar urinary symptoms are considered before treatment begins.

How Are Dutasteride Capsules Taken?

The recommended dose is one 0.5 mg capsule once daily with or without food. The capsule is swallowed whole and is not opened or chewed, since contact with the contents can irritate the mouth and throat. When combined with tamsulosin, the dutasteride dose remains 0.5 mg once daily.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Dutasteride?

Dutasteride lowers serum PSA by about 50 percent within three to six months, which affects prostate cancer screening interpretation. Current labeling also warns about a higher incidence of high-grade prostate cancer in prevention trials. Pregnant women should not handle leaking capsules, and blood donation is avoided until six months after the last dose.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dutasteride

What condition does dutasteride treat?

Dutasteride treats symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate.

What is the dutasteride dose?

The recommended dose is 0.5 mg once daily with or without food.

Can dutasteride capsules be opened or chewed?

No. Capsules are swallowed whole to avoid contact with contents that can irritate the mouth and throat.

Is dutasteride approved to prevent prostate cancer?

No. Current U.S. labeling specifically states that dutasteride is not approved for prostate cancer prevention.

References

AVODART (dutasteride) capsule, liquid filled. DailyMed. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=960797b3-09b1-4d6a-8ece-8b5d918e93e4. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

DailyMed - DUTASTERIDE capsule. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=947644ea-bc35-41df-8a7a-874360c90192. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

Dutasteride. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603001.html. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

Dutasteride. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6918296. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.

Dutasteride. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603726/. Date Accessed September 29, 2026.