AVODART (DUTASTERIDE)

Avodart® (Dutasteride 0.5mg): The first dual-acting 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), approved by the FDA. Avodart® reduces the 2 enzymes responsible for the conversion of testosterone to DHT – which is a primary concern in hair loss. Where Propecia (Finasteride) only blocks one enzyme, by blocking both Avodart’s® result could be better. We can expect to see Avodart® officially on the market as a hair loss medication in 2006, if approved.

No word yet on Avodart® being approved for hair loss by the FDA. Avodart®, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), was approved in February, 2002 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as a supplemental new drug application for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. Dutasteride was originally assigned the tentative brand (trade) name of “Duogen.” The manufacturer GSK will market this drug, indicated for the treatment of BPH, under the name “Avodart™.” The drug became available in pharmacies in December, 2002. This new medicine for these patients will improve urinary symptoms, reduce risk of acute urinary retention (AUR), also reducing the risk of the need for BPH-related surgery.

General Precautions with Avodart:

Men taking Avodart should not donate blood until at least 6 months after their last dose to prevent pregnant women from receiving Avodart through a blood donation.

What should I tell my health care provider?

Tell your doctor if you have a history of:

• liver problems
• cancer of the prostate

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may affect how Avodart works or Avodart may affect how your other medicines work.

What are some possible side effects of Avodart? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Avodart. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)

The most common side effects are:

• impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection)
• a decrease in libido (sex drive)
• breast enlargement and tenderness (gynecomastia)
• a decrease in the amount of semen released during sex

Avodart medication (news)

Propecia or Avodart, which inhibits the hair loss causing effects of DHT best?

Hereditary hair loss will affect about half of the American male population. Luckily, in the past few years there have been drug treatments developed that can slow down, completely stop, or even reverse hair loss in some men. While there is still no cure, pills such as Propecia or Avodart have given many men hope for holding on to the hair they have and maybe even regaining some of what they lost. When considering a medicinal regimen, many hair loss sufferers find themselves asking which medication is right for them.

dutasteride avodart effects side

Benefit of Avodart hair loss and prostate and Avodart side effects

Clinical trials, sponsored primarily by the manufacturer, have shown Avodart to be a treatment for prostate enlargement and similar to finasteride ( Proscar ). Further studies are needed to gain a clearer understanding of any clinically significant differences between Avodart and finasteride.

Avodart or Proscar?
Avodart is a dual 5alpha-reductase inhibitor for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Avodart differs from finasteride as it inhibits both isoenzymes of 5alpha-reductase and results in near-complete suppression of serum dihydro-testosterone. Similar to finasteride, Avodart reduces serum prostatic specific antigen by approximately 50% at 6 months and total prostate volume by 25% in 2 years. Randomised, placebo-controlled trials conducted over 2 years have shown the efficacy of Avodart in symptomatic relief, and peak urinary flow rate, and reduction of acute urinary retention events and the need for surgery. The main Avodart side effects are erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, gynacomastia and ejaculation disorders. Avodart has been shown to possess tumor regression properties in vitro and its role in chemoprevention of prostate cancer is being evaluated in the ongoing Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) trial.

Dutasteride Avodart side effects
Possible side effects with Avodart are impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection), a decrease in libido (sex drive), swelling or tenderness of the breast, and a decrease in the amount of semen released during sex. Avodart side effects could also include allergic reactions such as rash, itching, hives, and swelling of the lips or face. Another potential Avodart side effect is muscle aches. We have had 2 emails of this potential Avodart side effect and we can’t be sure the drug is responsible until we receive more information. See the bottom of this page for a fuller description of this Avodart side effect.
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and male sexual dysfunction are highly prevalent in aging men, and are strongly linked. Various treatment strategies for benign prostatic hyperplasia may affect sexuality, with differences between drug classes and between drugs within a same class. The 5alpha-reductase inhibitors, finasteride and Avodart are associated with a greater side effect risk of erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) and decreased libido than is placebo. The Avodart side effect regarding sexual health is a concern for many men who are medicated with this drug. Passion Rx, Prostate Power Rx, or natural sex herbs could potentially be helpful in some men in reversing some of these Avodart related sexual side effects.

SIDE EFFECTS: Sexual problems (e.g., impotence, decreased interest in sex, decrease in the amount of ejaculate) may infrequently occur, but then go away as your body adjusts to the drug. This medication may also cause breast enlargement and/or tenderness. If any of these effects persist or worsen, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver disease, urinary tract disease, prostate cancer, any allergies. Men taking this medication should not donate blood until at least 6 months after they have stopped taking it to prevent exposure through a blood transfusion to a pregnant female. Since this drug can be absorbed through the skin, women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should not handle this medication. Any contact with this drug by a pregnant woman could result in abnormal external sex organs of a developing male fetus.

Dutasteride

Dutasteride is a new drug prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Dutasteride has also shown very positive effects as a hair loss treatment for sufferers of male pattern baldness.

What is Dutasteride used for?

Dutasteride is a recently approved drug developed by GlaxoSmithKline. Dutasteride is a dual 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate to:

• Improve symptoms
• Reduce the risk of acute urinary retention
• Reduce the risk of the need for BPH-related surgery

Dutasteride is currently in trial phase for the treatment of alopecia (hairloss).

Dutasteride Side Effects

Dutasteride side effects are usually mild and transient. Drug related adverse effects of dutasteride certainly appear to be less than those associated with finasteride. The most common side effects of dutasteride are sexual effects including:

• impotence
• decreased libido
• ejaculation disorders
• gynecomastia (breast tenderness)

Dutasteride side effects discovered in a clinical study are summarized in the table below. Approxiamtely 6% of each group (dutasteride and placebo) withdrew from the study due to adverse events, with the investigator attributing less than half of these withdrawals to drug related adverse effects.

Dutasteride is the generic name for a new dual 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor made by GlaxoSmithKline. The drug is set to be marketed under the name Avodart™ in the US and Avolve™ in Europe in December 2002.

The FDA has approved Dutasteride for treating BPH (Benign Prostate Hyperplasia), the same condition that Proscar™, by made Merck, is used for. Dutasteride like Finasteride, the active ingredient in Proscar and Propecia, also has the added benefit of being able to be used to treat genetic hair loss in men also known as MPB or Androgenic Alopecia.

The difference between Dutasteride and Finasteride is that Dutasteride inhibits the activities of both the type 1 and type 2 5AR enzymes unlike Finasteride which only inhibits type 2. These enzymes are responsible for the conversion of testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is the primary cause of prostate growth and hair loss and Dutasteride decreases levels of DHT by 90 percent after only two weeks making it a much more powerful weapon against hair loss and BPH.

Dutasteride.org is a site dedicated to providing you with up-to date information about the use of Dutasteride for BPH and Androgenic Alopecia. It’s important to note that the FDA has not approved Dutasteride for the treatment of hair loss but Glaxo has completed Phase 2 trials for its use in treating hair loss.

The 5-alpha-reductase (AR) inhibitors, finasteride and dutasteride, are indicated for the reduction of clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). These agents are also thought to prevent the onset of prostate cancer, although some controversies exist regarding this issue and study data are still pending. In this interview, Steven A. Kaplan, MD, Chief of the Institute of Bladder and Prostate Health at Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, discusses the current role of the 5-AR inhibitors in the prevention of prostate cancer and some of the issues relevant to clinical practice. Medscape interviewed Dr. Kaplan at the recent American Urological Association Meeting, held in Atlanta, Georgia.Medscape: How has the role of 5-AR inhibitors in prostate cancer prevention advanced in recent years?

Dr. Kaplan: The use of 5-AR inhibitors for prostate cancer has definitely evolved over the last 5-7 years. Data from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) comparing finasteride with placebo suggested that finasteride may decrease the incidence of prostate cancer relative to placebo.^[1] Thompson and colleagues randomized nearly 19,000 men to receive finasteride or placebo and found that finasteride was associated with a delay in the onset of prostate cancer. However, they also found that sexual side effects were slightly more common in finasteride-treated men. In addition, tumors of Gleason grade 7, 8, 9, or 10 were more common in the finasteride-treated group. This effect was originally thought to be one that was potentially induced by finasteride, but now I think we consider the finding to be a sampling error, essentially because it’s easier to find an appropriately staged graded tumor in a smaller prostate, ie, a finasteride-reduced or shrunken prostate than a larger prostate, and the initial analysis may have given the wrong impression.

Men and their physicians need not hesitate to use a drug proven
effective in preventing prostate cancer out of concern that it is
likely to cause sexual dysfunction, say authors of a study conducted by
the Southwest Oncology Group.

The authors, who surveyed more than 17,000 men 55 and older for seven years,

reported their results in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
The study found that men given finasteride reported on average more
dysfunction than did men given a placebo. That small effect diminished
over the seven years.

The results allay concerns about a negative side effect associated
with finasteride up till now. Physicians usually warn that sexual
dysfunction is a possibility when they discuss the drug with patients. Finasteride
is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of benign prostatic
hyperplasia, but it is not yet FDA-approved for the prevention or
reduction in risk for prostate cancer.

The study’s large sample and long follow-up period allowed
researchers to examine whether or not finasteride negatively affected
sexual function and, if so, whether this effect was lasting, said Carol
Moinpour, Ph.D., of the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center in
Seattle, the study’s lead author. She coordinates quality-of-life
studies for the Southwest Oncology Group, the nation’s largest National
Cancer Institute-funded clinical trials network.

The study grew out of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial, a large
double-blind National Cancer Institute-funded study which found that
finasteride, a drug which curbs the proliferation of prostate gland
cells, is effective at preventing prostate cancer in men age 55 and
older. The 2003 results of that trial, conducted by the Southwest
Oncology Group in more than 18,000 men, showed that finasteride could
reduce a man’s chances of getting prostate cancer by almost 25 percent.

The authors of the newly published sexual function results wanted to
assess how many men in the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial reported
experiencing sexual dysfunction, and whether the problems decreased or
increased over time. In earlier studies, some men taking finasteride
reported decreased libido, impotence and other signs of diminished
sexual function. But these studies were short-term and didn’t try to
assess the effects of age and other health factors, as well as
individual variation.

“Millions of men may benefit from finasteride’s ability
to reduce prostate cancer risk,” said Leslie Ford, M.D., who oversaw
PCPT for the Institute. The nation’s number one cancer doctor,
Andrew C. von Eschenbach, Director of the NCI, called it a “landmark
study.” The story appeared on the front
page of the New York Times, and it was widely covered by other major
news agencies such as CNN
and The Wall
Street Journal. At the press conference, which will be available
online as a webcast for the next year, Dr. Peter Greenwald, Director
of Cancer Prevention for the NCI, said, “This trial proves that
prostate cancer is at least in part preventable. It is a huge step forward.”
On the day
of the NCI press conference, USRF Director Leonard S. Marks, M.D., appeared
live on CNN television to explain the importance of PCPT.

If you want to order finasteride or just a free consultation ask for more detailes here

What is the role of testosterone / hormones / androgens in male pattern hair loss?

Male pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia, is an androgen-dependent disorder. In genetically susceptible men, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent metabolite of the male androgen testosterone, contributes to male pattern hair loss. The conversion of testosterone to DHT is regulated by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.

How does finasteride affect the body’s hormonal / endocrine system?

Finasteride (Propecia®) is a specific type II 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. That is, it inhibits the enzyme responsible for regulating conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). By reducing DHT levels in the scalp, the drug decreases DHT’s effects on the hair follicles, reversing the process of hair loss.

What is finasteride approved for?

Finasteride is indicated for the treatment of men with male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) to prevent further hair loss and increase hair growth.

How does Propecia (Finasteride) work?

Propecia (Finasteride) belongs to a group of medicines called “5 alpha reductase inhibitors”. It is a tan octagonal tablet, which is swallowed and is available in just one strength - 1mg.

Propecia (Finasteride) works by blocking the enzyme, Type II 5 alpha-reductase, and in doing so it reduces the level of the hormone in the scalp which shortens the hair growth cycle and allows hairs to revert to a normal growth cycle. This can result in stopping further hair loss and increasing new hair growth in men with male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).
Continuous use once a day for 3–6 months is required before benefit is seen, and effects are reversed 6–12 months after treatment is discontinued so continuous use is recommended to sustain benefit.

Does Propecia (Finasteride) always work?

Clinical trials conducted on thousands of men have shown that after 2 years of use 66% (two thirds) of men showed increased hair growth. 30% of men showed a slight improvement, 31% moderate improvement and 5% great increase. 83% of men in the trial showed no further hair loss.

Propecia (Finasteride) side effects

When taken at the recommended dose, the possible side effects of Propecia (Finasteride) are usually mild and generally have not caused the men to stop taking the medicine.

Possible side effects that have been identified with Propecia (Finasteride) include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased volume of ejaculate, breast tenderness and enlargement; rashes, itching and swelling of the lips and face; and testicular pain.

Finasteride: How It Works

Finasteride works at the molecular level to halt hair loss and stimulate new hair growth. It is a medication that selectively inhibits the activity of an enzyme that converts the “male hormone” testosterone into a form that is active in hair follicles.

Androgenic (”male”) hormones such as testosterone have multiple effects in the body, including actions in the skin, hair follicles and prostate gland. Hair follicles and sebaceous (oil-producing) glands in the skin are particularly responsive to androgenic hormones.

Testosterone is the most potent of the androgenic hormones. Its actions on hair follicles, skin and prostate tissue is not direct however; These tissues are responsive to a form of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT); testosterone is converted to DHT by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. Finasteride acts by inhibiting the action of 5-alpha-reductase and thus inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into DHT.

Investigators over a number of years found that 5-alpha-reductase occurs in two forms identified as Type I and Type II, and that finasteride is effective in inhibition of Type II. Type I of the enzyme predominates in sebaceous glands. Type II occurs most abundantly in hair follicles and prostate tissue. Investigators found that:

What are Orlistat capsules?

Orlistat-Xenical is used to help obese people lose weight and keep
the weight off while eating a reduced-calorie diet. Orlistat decreases
the amount of fat that is absorbed from your diet. Generic orlistat
capsules are not yet available on the market.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•an eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia
•problems absorbing food (chronic malabsorption)
•gallbladder problems or gallstones
•diabetes
•if you are taking any other weight-loss medications
•an unusual or allergic reaction to orlistat, other medicines, foods, dyes, supplements or preservatives

GENERIC NAME: orlistat

BRAND NAME: Xenical, alli

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Orlistat Xenical is a drug that promotes loss of
weight by preventing the digestion and absorption of fat in food. In the
intestine, an enzyme called lipase (produced primarily by the pancreas) breaks
apart fat in food so that it can be absorbed into the body. Orlistat blocks the
action of lipase and thereby prevents the breakup and absorption of fat.
Orlistat blocks absorption of about 25% of the fat in a meal. The unabsorbed fat
is excreted in the stool. The FDA approved Orlistat by prescription in 1999.
alli, a lower dose formulation of orlistat, was approved for purchase without a
prescription “over the counter” in 2007.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it within one hour following the meal that
contains fat. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that
dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What side effects may I notice from taking Orlistat Xenical?

The side effects seen with orlistat are related to the reduced
absorption of fat from your diet. Gastrointestinal (GI) side effects
may last for less than one week, but have occurred for up to 6 months
or longer. Maintaining an appropriate diet can help decrease side
effects. The use of orlistat for greater than 2 years has not been
studied.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
•arthritis or joint pain/tenderness
•back pain
•rash, itching, or shortness of breath
•severe stomach pain
•yellow color appearing in your skin or the whites of your eyes
•weakness or fainting

     What is Xenical used for?

Xenical is used to help obese people
who fit certain weight and height requirements lose weight and maintain weight loss.
Xenical works in your intestines, where it blocks some of the fat you eat from being
absorbed. This undigested fat is then eliminated in your bowel movements. Use Xenical
together with a reduced-calorie diet. The weight management effects of Xenical continue
only as long as you are taking it.

Who should not take Orlistat-Xenical?

You cannot take Xenical if you:

• have problems absorbing food
• have gallbladder problems
• are pregnant, or breast-feeding a child

People with certain kidney problems may not be able to take Xenical.

• Why is this medication prescribed?

Orlistat (prescription and nonprescription) is used with an individualized low-calorie, low-fat diet and exercise program to help people lose weight . Prescription orlistat is used in overweight people who may also have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease. Orlistat is also used after weight-loss to help people keep from gaining back that weight. Orlistat is in a class of medications called lipase inhibitors. It works in the intestines by blocking absorption of some of the fat in foods eaten. This unabsorbed fat is then removed in stools from the body.

• How should this medicine be used?

Orlistat comes as a capsule and a nonprescription capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day with each main meal that contains fat. Take orlistat during a meal or up to 1 hour after a meal. If a meal is missed or does not have fat, you may skip your dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label or the package label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take orlistat exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor or stated on the package.

• Other uses for this medicine

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more informationor go to the main pharmacy and ask for free online support.One of our specialists will answer to all the questions.

• What special precautions should I follow?

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to orlistat or any other medications.
• talk to your doctor if you are taking medications that suppress the immune system such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune). If you are taking cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), take it 2 hours before or 2 hours after orlistat.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (”blood thinners”) such as warfarin (Coumadin); medications for diabetes, such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (DiaBeta, Dynase, Micronase), metformin (Glucophage), and insulin; medications to control blood pressure; medications for thyroid disease; and any other medications for weight loss.
• tell your doctor if you have if you have had an organ transplant or if you have cholestasis (condition in which the flow of bile from the liver is blocked) or malabsorption syndrome (problems absorbing food). Your doctor will probably tell you not to order orlistat .

• What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Follow the diet program your doctor has given you. You should evenly divide the amount of daily fat, carbohydrates, and protein you eat over three main meals. If orlistat is taken with a diet high in fat (a diet with more than 30% of the total daily calories from fat), or with one meal very high in fat, it is more likely you will experience side effects from the medication.

Orlistat blocks your body’s absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins and beta carotene. Therefore, when you use orlistat you should take a daily multivitamin that contains vitamins A, D, E, K, and beta-carotene. Read the label to find a multivitamin product that contains these vitamins. Take the multivitamin once a day, 3 hours before or 3 hours after taking orlistat online, or take the multivitamin at bedtime. Ask your doctor or pharmacist any questions you might have about taking a multivitamin while you are taking orlistat .

• What side effects can this medication cause?

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• oily spotting on underwear or on clothing
• gas with oily spotting
• urgent need to have a bowel movement
• loose stools
• oily or fatty stools
• increased number of bowel movements
• difficulty controlling bowel movements
• pain or discomfort in the rectum (bottom)
• stomach pain
• irregular menstrual periods
• headache
• anxiety

• What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat, moisture (not in the bathroom), and light. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.