| Usage |
Usage
Dutasteride is provided in capsule form for oral consumption. Usually, it is taken once a day, and you can take it with or without food. To ensure consistency, try to take dutasteride at roughly the same time each day. Follow your prescription label's instructions meticulously, and don't hesitate to seek clarification from your doctor or pharmacist if any aspect remains unclear. Adhere strictly to your doctor's directives—avoid taking more or less of it or increasing the frequency beyond their recommendations. Ingest the capsules in their entirety; avoid crushing, chewing, or opening them.
While some improvement in your symptoms may be noticeable after approximately 3 months of dutasteride usage, the full benefits might take 6 months or longer to become evident. Maintain open communication with your doctor about your progress during treatment. It's important to note that dutasteride can manage your symptoms but does not provide a cure for your condition. Even if you begin to feel better, continue taking dutasteride as prescribed, and do not discontinue it without consulting your doctor. If needed, request a copy of the manufacturer's patient information from your pharmacist or doctor for further details
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| Side Effects |
Side Effects
Dutasteride can potentially lead to side effects. Notify your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they are bothersome or persistent:
1. **Difficulty in attaining or sustaining an erection.
2. Decreased sex drive.
3. Problems with ejaculation.
Certain side effects demand immediate medical attention. If you encounter any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor promptly or seek emergency medical assistance:
1. Changes in breast tissue, such as increased size, lumps, pain, or nipple discharge.
2. Swelling of the face, tongue, or throat.
3. Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
4. Skin peeling.
Taking dutasteride may heighten the risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer, which is a type of prostate cancer that spreads more rapidly than other forms. It is vital to have a discussion with your doctor about the potential risks associated with dutasteride usage. Additionally, dutasteride may produce other side effects. If you encounter any unusual issues while taking this medication, contact your doctor for guidance and evaluation.
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| Storage |
Storage
To ensure the safe storage and disposal of this medication, please adhere to the following guidelines:
1. Original Container: Keep this medication in its original container, securely sealed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Storage Conditions: Store it at room temperature and away from excessive heat and moisture. Avoid storing it in the bathroom, as dutasteride capsules can become deformed or discolored when exposed to high temperatures.
3. Inspect for Damage: Examine the capsules regularly, and discard any that appear deformed, discolored, or leaking.
4. Safe Disposal: When disposing of unneeded medication, take precautions to prevent access by pets, children, or anyone else. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. The advised disposal approach involves utilizing a medicine take-back program. Consult your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to inquire about available take-back programs in your community.
5. Child Safety: To protect young children from accidental poisoning, always use safety caps and promptly store the medication in a secure location that is both out of sight and out of reach.
Remember that various medication containers, including those for weekly pill organizers, eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers, may not be child-resistant, so extra vigilance is essential to safeguard young children from potential harm.
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| Special Precaution |
Special Precaution
Prior to starting dutasteride treatment, it's crucial to take the following steps:
1. Allergies: Inform both your doctor and pharmacist if you have allergies to dutasteride, finasteride (Propecia, Proscar), any other medications, or any components present in dutasteride capsules. You can consult your doctor or refer to the manufacturer's patient information for a list of these ingredients.
2. Medications and Supplements: Notify your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are currently taking or plan to take. Specifically, mention any of the following: antifungal drugs like ketoconazole (Nizoral), cimetidine (Tagamet), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), ritonavir (Norvir), troleandomycin (TAO), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan). Your doctor may need to adjust your medication doses or monitor you closely for potential side effects.
3. Medical History: Inform your doctor if you have a history of liver disease or prostate cancer.
4. Use in Women: Dutasteride is exclusively intended for use in men. Women, especially those who are pregnant or might become pregnant, should not handle dutasteride capsules. Contact with the capsule contents may pose a risk to the fetus. If a pregnant woman or one who could potentially become pregnant accidentally comes into contact with leaking capsules, she should immediately wash the affected area with soap and water and contact her doctor.
5. Blood Donation: Be aware that you should not donate blood while taking dutasteride and for 6 months after discontinuing this medication.
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