Dutasteride is a medication that is often used to help treat prostate problems in men. It also has a lot of other uses, which is why it’s a popular type of antiandrogen. We take a closer look at Dutasteride and how it can be beneficial for various problems, including hair loss. Hair loss is a very serious issue for men around the world; in fact, male pattern baldness is responsible for more than 95 percent of hair loss.
Research is also shown that two-thirds of American men will experience some form of hair loss by the age of 55. Worldwide, more than 55 million men suffer from hair loss and that number is growing every year.
So, what treatments are there?
There are many different treatments that can help to reduce or even eliminate hair loss, and Dutasteride treatment is one of them. Not everybody wants to undergo laser therapy, or other surgical procedures, which is why they often opt for medication that can help treat hair loss. Dutasteride, which comes in dutasteride capsules, has been known to help treat hair loss effectively in men and eat also offers a host of other health benefits. It has been used as an effective hair loss treatment for almost 10 years and can offer various benefits compared to other medication.
What is Dutasteride?
Dutasteride is drug medication that has become quite popular in terms of treating enlarged prostate in Maine. It also has many other features, including the fact that he can help to curb excessive hair growth in women, and also help to treat hair loss in men. Dutasteride is a type of antiandrogen and it works by reducing the amount dihydrotestosterone in the body. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a sex hormone that functions in specific parts of the body, such as the scalp and prostate gland.
In short, Dutasteride prevents testosterone from converting to dihydrotestosterone.
Dutasteride decreases DHT levels by inhibiting all forms of 5a-reductase with up to 98 percent. Although side effects are mild, they should still be noted; some side effects may include depression, sexual dysfunction, and anxiety. On the upside, Dutasteride can also help to treat BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) in men and improve urinary flow.
Dutasteride was patented in 1996 and developed by GlaxoSmithKline. In 2001 it was introduced as a treatment for enlarged prostate and was first approved as a hair loss treatment in 2009 in South Korea and in 2015 in Japan. Dutasteride has not yet been approved for use in the United States although it is available as a generic medication and often used off-label.
Finasteride and Dutasteride: How The Two Drugs Are Different?
Currently, Avodart (Dutasteride 0.5 mg) is used to treat benign prostatic enlargement and is an FDA approved medicine. However, it is not yet approved to specifically treat male pattern baldness. That is why some physicians will prescribe Dutasteride as an off-label treatment since many people have achieved great results using Avodart.
You may also have heard about Finasteride. Finasteride is also known as Propecia and is used specifically treat male pattern baldness. Propecia is intended for men only and should never be used by women or children.
Finasteride is used to treat an enlarged prostate in men and can also be taken in conjunction with other medicines to treat male baldness. Finasteride may also help to reduce symptoms like the need to urinate often, better urine flow and decreased nighttime urination. Finasteride is not approved for prevention of prostate cancer. Although milder than Dutasteride, the side-effects of Finasteride may include a decreased libido and an increase in hair growth. The majority of people who use Finasteride do not have any serious side effects at all. In the event that you have an allergic reaction to Finasteride, call your healthcare provider immediately.
The active ingredient in Dutasteride is similar to the one in Finasteride. It’s a 5-alpha-reductase enzyme inhibitor that is responsible for testosterone converting into dihydrotestosterone. One key difference between Dutasteride and Finasteride is that Finasteride only blocks one type of 5-alpha-reductase, where Dutasteride blocks both. This means Dutasteride is about three times as strong as Finasteride.
Since Dutasteride is important, it is not recommended to be your very first choice for treating hair loss. Most people want to meet the highest medicine does to treat their hair loss, which is why it is perfectly suitable to start with Finasteride or Propecia.
What does Dutasteride do for hair?
The drug Dutasteride works as a treatment for hair loss as it blocks DHT. As mentioned, Dutasteride prevents testosterone from converting to dihydrotestosterone, which is why it is such an effective treatment for men suffering from hair loss.
Although Dutasteride is not specifically sold as a hair loss treatment, it does work very effectively and can be prescribed by your physician.
Dutasteride Decreases DHT Production
Maine who suffer from hair loss usually doesn’t have a high DHT level in the body. This hormone is naturally produced by the body. Research has shown that Maine with substantial hair loss has much higher levels of this enzyme present in their bloodstream. Dutasteride blocks DHT and also helps to increase the number of hairs on the skull, filling the thin areas. Although the results of taking Dutasteride will vary among individuals, it will definitely help to delay the hair loss process in men.
Reduces The Size of an Enlarged Prostate
Another function of Dutasteride is that it reduces the size of an enlarged prostate. This also helps to relieve common symptoms of an enlarged prostate, such as problems with urine flow, the need for frequent urination, and weak stream.
What about prostate cancer?
Although Dutasteride can effectively treat an enlarged prostate gland, it is not approved to prevent prostate cancer. However, in some cases, it might actually slightly increase the risk of prostate cancer, which is why it is always recommended to speak to your physician about the drawbacks and the benefits of this medicine.
Dutasteride Treats Scalp Hair Loss by Blocking DHT
For testosterone to be effective in scalp hair, it has to be converted to DHT. DHT is an important factor when it comes to male baldness, and Dutasteride blocks both types of DHT, so indirectly Dutasteride causes an increase in hair count.
Dutasteride Can Help Regrow Scalp Hair
Dutasteride can assist with increasing scalp hair as it blocks DHT and also helps to increase the number of hairs on the skull, filling the thin areas. Since high levels of DHT can cause hair loss, Dutasteride can be effective as it significantly lowers DHT levels in the body. When compared to Finasteride, Dutasteride caused more hair growth with a 2.5 milligrams dose than Finasteride at a 5-milligram dose.
What Are The Other Uses for Dutasteride?
Dutasteride can also be used in transgender women, as a hormone therapy in combination with estrogen, among others. Dutasteride can also be used in excessive hair growth (facial/body hair). In a recent study, Finasteride resulted in a 93 percent reduction in facial hair and 73 percent in body hair, among 89 women tested for a period of two years.
Avodart and Other Brands and Generics
Avodart is the name of the generic brand of Dutasteride. It is sold mainly under the name Avodart as well as under the name Combodart and Duodart (which is Dutasteride combined with tamsulosin). There are a few other generic brand names but these are the most popular. Some generic brands names in India, for e.g., include Dutalfa and Alfusin-D.
What are the Dutasteride Side Effects?
It’s also important to look at the possible side effects of Dutasteride, as they are experienced differently from one patient to the next. Although Dutasteride is overall well-tolerated, there are a few notable side effects, which is why you should consult your medical practitioner first.
Loss of Interest in Sex and Trouble Having an Orgasm
Loss of libido is one side-effect of Dutasteride, as it lowers the amount of DHT in the body. This, along with other side effects like erectile dysfunction and sexual dysfunction, is estimated to affect between three and 15 percent of men who are treated with Dutasteride.
Small Chance of Gynecomastia
There is a very small chance of gynecomastia in men when taking Dutasteride, even after prolonged use of the medicine. In fact, the risk of gynecomastia in men using Dutasteride for three years or more only increases about 0.7 percent, studies have shown.
Swelling of Face
In some cases, Dutasteride can cause swelling in the face and this may very likely be due to an allergic reaction. If face swelling becomes an issue, it is recommended to rather stop taking Dutasteride and rather opt for an alternative such as Finasteride.
Severe Dizziness and Trouble Breathing
Dutasteride may cause dizziness and trouble breathing, as it is seen as an allergic reaction. Although a serious allergic reaction is rare, you should get medical help right away if you have these symptoms. Other possible allergic symptoms can also include swelling of the throat and tongue, rash or itching of the face.
Reviews: Things Customers Are Saying About Dutasteride
There are mixed reviews on Dutasteride, especially Avodart, however, generally, it gets a very good rating in terms of effectiveness for hair loss.
Avodart scores four out of five stars from Everyday Health.
Similarly, WebMD rates Avodart as three out of fives stars, based on 216 reviews. The reviews are based on its effectiveness, ease of use, and satisfaction.
What Happens If You Miss a Dose or Overdose?
In the event of an overdose of Dutasteride, seek emergency medical attention. You can also call your healthcare provider or your local Poison Control Center. If properly administered there is unlikely that an overdose will occur.
What is the Correct Dosage?
The recommended dosage for Dutasteride is 0.5 milligrams (one capsule) once a day. The correct dosage will be determined by your healthcare provider. If you missed a dose, take one as soon as possible. If you remember and it’s close to your next dose, just continue with your next dosage as normal. Never double-dose to catch up.
Where to Buy Dutasteride
Dutasteride Avodart can be bought on prescription from your local pharmacy. There are certain online stores that sell Dutasteride Avodart but a prescription is required. In some territories there may be additional requirements; for e.g. the Canadian International Pharmacy Association requires that you not order more than a three-month supply of certain medications. This is because dosages may from one individual to the next and should be prescribed by a doctor to be accurate.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Dutasteride is a highly effective treatment for hair loss in men. Although originally approved for the treatment of an enlarged prostate, Dutasteride is highly effective against male pattern baldness. With relatively minimal side-effects and a very slim chance of an overdose, Dutasteride, or Avodart, is one of the best treatments available for hair loss.