Avodart prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Avodart is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. It helps improve urinary flow and may also reduce your need for prostate surgery later on.

Avodart is sometimes given with another medication called tamsulosin (Flomax). Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications.

Avodart may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Avodart should never be taken by a woman or a child. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle the capsules. Although Avodart is not for use by women, this medication can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Avodart capsules should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant.

Do not chew, crush, or open a Avodart capsule. Swallow the capsule whole. Dutasteride can irritate your lips, mouth, or throat if the capsule has been broken or opened before you swallow it. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a leaking capsule, wash the area with soap and water right away.

Before taking Avodart, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to dutasteride, or to a similar medicine called finasteride (Propecia, Proscar). Using Avodart may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have other conditions that would prevent you from safely using Avodart.

Do not donate blood while taking Avodart and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends. Avodart can be carried in the blood and could cause birth defects if a pregnant women receives a transfusion with blood that contains dutasteride.

Take Avodart exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take the capsule with a full glass of water.

Avodart can be taken with or without food.

Do not chew, crush, or open a Avodart capsule. Swallow the capsule whole. Dutasteride can irritate your lips, mouth, or throat if the capsule has been broken or opened before you swallow it. It may take up to 6 months of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Do not stop taking Avodart without talking to your doctor.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your doctor will also test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check for prostate cancer. Visit your doctor regularly.

Store Avodart at room temperature away from moisture and heat. The capsules may become soft and leaky, or they may stick together if they get too hot. Do not use any capsule that is cracked or leaking. Call your pharmacist for instructions on how to safely dispose of a leaking Avodart capsule.

Using Avodart may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have other conditions that would prevent you from safely using Avodart.

Before taking Avodart, tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this medication, or to a similar medicine called finasteride (Propecia, Proscar).

Avodart should never be taken by a woman or a child. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle Avodart capsules. Although this medicine is not for use by women, this medication can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Avodart capsules should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a leaking capsule, wash the area with soap and water right away.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not donate blood while taking Avodart and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends. Avodart can be carried in the blood and could cause birth defects if a pregnant women receives a transfusion with blood that contains Avodart.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Avodart: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects may include:

• decreased libido (sex drive);

• decreased amount of semen released during sex;

• impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection); or

• breast tenderness or enlargement.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• conivaptan (Vaprisol);

• imatinib (Gleevec);

• isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), or telithromycin (Ketek);

• an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig), or voriconazole (Vfend);

• an antidepressant such as nefazodone;

• heart or blood pressure medication such as nicardipine (Cardene) or quinidine (Quin-G); or

• HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Avodart. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.