#avodart

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The Darvon drug belonged to the Opioid class and was first patented and manufactured by Eli Lily and Company in 1955.

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The Darvon drug belonged to the Opioid class and was first patented and manufactured by Eli Lily and Company in 1955. The drug was approved for the treatment of mild pain and cough suppressant.

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Dutasteride, sold under the brand name Avodart, is a prescription drug manufactured and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline to treat enlargement of the prostate.

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Dutasteride

Brand Name: Avodart

Generic Available

Common Dosage Forms:

Capsules: 0.5 mg

FDA Indications/Precautions:

For the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate gland to improve symptoms, reduce the risk of acute urinary retention, and reduce the risk of the need of BPH-related surgery: The recommended dose is 0.5 mg taken orally once a day. The capsule should be swallowed whole. May be taken with or without food.

Monitor: PSA

Pharmacology/Pharmacokinetics: Dutasteride is a competitive and selective inhibitor of both the type 1 and type 2 isoforms of steroid 5-alpha-reductase (5AR), an intracellular enzyme that converts testosterone to 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is an androgen responsible for the enlargement of the prostate gland. Long-term dutasteride therapy shows significant improvement in maximum urine flow rate, a decrease in prostate volume, and a decrease in urinary retention. Metabolism occurs in the liver by the CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 isoenzymes. Excretion occurs mainly in the feces. Steady-state levels are reached after about 3 months. The terminal elimination half-life of dutasteride at steady-state is approximately 5 weeks. Dutasteride is highly bound (99%) to plasma albumin.

Drug Interactions: CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, verapamil, diltiazem, cimetidine, troleandomycin, and ciprofloxacin may increase dutasteride plasma levels.

Contraindications/Precautions: Contraindicated for use in women and children and in patients with a known hypersensitivity to other 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Women who are or may be pregnant should not handle dutasteride since absorption through the skin may cause harm to a male fetus. Men being treated with dutasteride should not donate blood until at least six months after their last dose. Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment. New PSA level baseline should be performed at 12 months and the value doubled to compare with normal values in untreated men. Pregnancy Category X.

Adverse Effects: Adverse effects are usually mild and transient and include impotence, decreased libido, ejeculation disorder, and gynecomastia. These effects decrease in frequency after 6 months of treatment.

Patient Consultation:

May be taken with or without food.

Women who are pregnant should not come into contact with dutasteride capsules.

Men should not donate blood until at least 6 months after their last dose.

If a dose is missed, skip it and return to normal dosing schedule.

Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and children.

Contact a physician if the above side effects are severe or persistent past 6 months of treatment.