Dutasteride is a prescription medication used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. It belongs to a class of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. These medications work by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that stimulates prostate growth.<\/p>\n
By reducing levels of this hormone, dutasteride helps shrink the prostate over time, relieve pressure on the urethra, and improve symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty starting or stopping urination, and a weak urine stream. It can also reduce the likelihood of needing prostate surgery or experiencing sudden acute urinary retention.<\/p>\n
Dutasteride is taken orally as a daily capsule. It may take three to six months before noticeable improvements are seen, so consistent use is essential. The medication is often prescribed for long-term use and may be combined with other treatments such as alpha-1-blockers for additional symptom relief in more advanced cases.<\/p>\n
Side effects are typically mild and can include decreased sex drive, changes in ejaculation, or breast tenderness. Dutasteride lowers prostate-specific antigen PSA levels, so any blood tests for prostate monitoring should take this into account. This medication is not intended for use by women, and pregnant individuals should avoid handling leaking broken capsules due to the risk of hormonal exposure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"