Avodart

What is Avodart?

Avodart is a licensed form of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment that comes as a capsule. It’s a medication for enlarged prostate, but it can also work as an ‘off-label’ treatment for hair loss – this means that although it’s not officially licensed for use in this way, a clinician can still prescribe it to you for hair loss if they decide that it’s safe and suitable.

An enlarged prostate is a condition that’s mostly experienced by men over the age of 50. It’s not fully understood why the prostate becomes enlarged, but it’s thought to be linked to the increased production of dihydrotestosterone men experience during middle age. Symptoms include difficulty and reduced force when urinating, urinating more often, and in rarer cases, blood in your urine.

How does Avodart work?

The active ingredient in Avodart is dutasteride. Dutasteride works by impacting on the conversion of testosterone in the body. This reduces the size of the prostate, and helps to ease symptoms.

Avodart has also proven to be highly effective at treating hair loss. It helps to correct some of the hormonal issues that contribute to male baldness by managing the production of testosterone in the body. ^[1]

What doses of Avodart are there?

Avodart is only available in one dose of 0.5mg. You’ll usually take one capsule once a day. If this isn’t working for you, send our clinician a message online, and they’ll discuss other treatments with you.

How to take Avodart

To get the most out of your mediation, you should always follow our clinician’s instructions, and the instructions in the package information leaflet that comes with your treatment. The usual steps are as follows:

• take as advised by your prescriber
• the typical dose is one capsule per day
• swallow the capsule whole with water
• it may take as long as six months to see noticeable effects
• don’t take more than the amount prescribed to you

How long does it take Avodart to work?

You may notice that your symptoms improve within a few weeks. But it usually takes three to six months before you start to see your symptoms improve.

What should I do if I make a mistake when taking Avodart?

If you miss a dose of Avodart, just skip it and continue your course as normal when your next capsule is due. The important part is that you don’t double dose to make up for missed doses. Avodart doesn’t produce any significant side effects, but you should contact a clinician if you take too much and begin to feel unwell.