Dutasteride for prostate gland enlargement

About dutasteride

The prostate gland commonly becomes larger in older men. Eine Vergrößerung der Prostata wird auch benigne Prostatahyperplasie (BPH) genannt. Die Prostata befindet sich in der Nähe der Blase, daher kann ihre Vergrößerung Probleme beim Wasserlassen verursachen. Häufige Symptome sind, dass man warten muss, bis der Urin zu fließen beginnt, längere Zeit auf der Toilette verbringt, Urin nachtröpfelt und das Gefühl hat, dass die Blase nicht ganz leer ist.

Dutasteride works by blocking the conversion of the hormone testosterone to the more potent hormone dihydrotestosterone. It does this by blocking an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. Dihydrotestosterone is partly responsible for making the prostate enlarge. Therefore, a reduced amount of dihydrotestosterone in the prostate causes it to shrink. This helps you to pass urine more easily.

Sometimes, more than one type of medicine is needed to control the symptoms of prostate enlargement. Dutasteride is available in combination with another medicine for prostate enlargement, called tamsulosin. The combination brand is called Combodart® and it may give quicker and better relief of symptoms than either medicine alone.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking dutasteride it is important that your doctor knows:

• Wenn Sie jemals eine allergische Reaktion auf ein Medikament hatten.

• Wenn Sie Probleme mit der Funktionsweise Ihrer Leber haben.

• Wenn Sie andere Medikamente einnehmen oder verwenden. Dazu gehören alle Medikamente, die Sie einnehmen und die ohne Rezept erhältlich sind, sowie pflanzliche und ergänzende Medikamente.

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about dutasteride and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take dutasteride exactly as your doctor tells you to. Take one capsule each day. Swallow the capsule whole - do not chew or open the capsule as this could irritate your mouth.

• You can take the capsule either before or after a meal, but try to take the capsule at the same time of day each day. This will help you to remember to take your doses regularly.

• If you forget to take a dose on time, take it when you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.
  

• Your symptoms may start to improve within a few weeks although it can take up to six months for you to notice the full benefit. This is because it takes time for the prostate gland to gradually shrink. Because of this, it is important that you continue to take the capsules regularly, even if you don't feel a benefit straightaway.

• Remember to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress.

• Consider reducing or stopping the amount of caffeine you drink (commonly found in tea, coffee and cola) and alcohol. These can make your symptoms worse, so drinking less of these things may benefit you.

• If you are a smoker, stopping smoking may significantly improve your symptoms. This is because nicotine irritates the bladder. Ask your doctor for advice on quitting.

• Dutasteride may cause harm to an unborn baby. Because of this, women who are pregnant should not handle these capsules if they are damaged or leaking. Also, small amounts of dutasteride will be in your semen while you are taking this medicine, and it is therefore recommended that you use a barrier method of contraception (such as a condom) if your partner could become pregnant. If you need further advice about this, speak with your pharmacist or doctor.

• If you are having an operation or any medical treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking dutasteride. This is because dutasteride can interfere with a blood test used to detect prostate cancer, so you must tell your doctor about taking dutasteride if you need this test.

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with dutasteride. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Wenn Sie andere Symptome bemerken, die Ihrer Meinung nach auf das Medikament zurückzuführen sind, sprechen Sie mit Ihrem Arzt oder Apotheker für weitere Ratschläge.

• Bewahren Sie alle Medikamente außerhalb der Reichweite und Sicht von Kindern auf.

• An einem kühlen, trockenen Ort aufbewahren, fern von direkter Hitze und Licht.