Avodart (Dutasteride)

What is Avodart?

Avodart is a prescription medicine that is generally prescribed for men who are suffering with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). However, it is also prescribed as an 'off-label' treatment for men who are being affected by hair loss (Alopecia). Avodart is the brand name for a medicine called dutasteride.

It is an oral treatment that can treat genetic male pattern hair loss on the top of the head and the mid-scalp area.

You can buy Avodart (dutasteride) from Medicine Direct after an online consultation with a doctor, who will give you a prescription to purchase this medicine if they deem it suitable for you to take. After being given a prescription, you can order it from our UK registered online pharmacy; order by 2pm to benefit from free next day delivery.

Effects on hair growth

Avodart is a prescription medicine that is usually prescribed for treating enlarged prostate, but it is also used to treat hair loss in men. An 'off label' treatment is one which is also used to treat something different than just the condition it was originally licensed for. Because of this, there is less established data to prove the treatment's effectiveness for this treatment; it also means that the instructions that are contained in the product's information leaflet will not match the condition you are using the product for. Follow the instructions on the dispensing label on your medication.

Avodart is one of 3 very popular prescription options for men who are experiencing hair loss, such as Finasteride and the branded version of finasteride, Propecia.

Hair loss is the result of testosterone in the scalp mixing with the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase (a powerful derivative of testosterone) and producing dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This enzyme is believed to cause male pattern baldness when it binds to the receptor sites in hair follicles. In time, DHT binds with the receptors and inhibits the follicles' ability to create healthy hair.

What does Avodart do?

Avodart is a prescription medication normally used to treat an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), but it can also aid in treating hair loss in men.

Avodart is the brand name for a medicine called dutasteride, which is the active ingredient in this oral medication.

How does Avodart affect hair loss?

Dutasteride was originally developed to treat symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men, but it has also proven to be more effective in clinical trials. It is now also used to treat male pattern hair loss as well.

Dutasteride inhibits the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It inhibits both Type I and Type II forms of this enzyme, making it a highly effective hair loss treatment.

How long does Avodart take to work?

Men who take Avodart will need to wait for one year or maybe even longer before evaluating this prescription medicine's effectiveness.

It is not uncommon to notice thinning of your existing hair during the first six months of treatment. This may be the result of the progression of your hair loss before dutasteride has had a chance to work. Alternatively, it may be some shedding of miniaturised hair, which makes way for new hair to grow. During the first six months, it is important that you are patient with your treatment.

Who can take Avodart?

Avodart (dutasteride) is not a suitable prescription medication for everyone.

This treatment is only available on prescription and is for men only; it is not suitable for women as a treatment for any condition.

It is not suitable for anyone who is under the age of 18.

Do not take Avodart (dutasteride) if:

• You are allergic to dutasteride, any other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, soya, peanut, or any of the other ingredients contained in this medicine (please see the Ingredients tab for full details)
• You have a severe liver disease

Do not take this medicine without speaking to your doctor if you believe any of the conditions listed here may apply to you.

Non-medical alternatives to hair loss

If this prescription medication is not suitable for you, you can try other methods, including:

• Aromatherapy
• Wigs
• Hair transplants
• Homeopathy
• Acupuncture

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Avodart comes with the risk of side effects, although not everyone who takes this prescription medicine will be affected by them.

Common side effects may affect 1 in 10 men who take this medicine and include:

• Breast tenderness or enlargement (gynecomastia)
• A decreased sex drive (libido), which may continue even after you stop taking the medicine
• Not being able to achieve or maintain an erection (impotence), which may continue after you stop taking the medicine
• Problems ejaculating, such as smaller amounts of semen being released during sex, which may continue after you stop using the medicine
• Dizziness when taken with tamsulosin

The below adverse effects may affect up to 1 in every 100 men who take Avodart:

• Hair loss (usually from your bod) or growth of hair
• Heart failure, which may include symptoms like extreme tiredness, feeling short of breath and swelling in the legs and ankles

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you experience any of these undesired effects while taking Avodart.

Please note, these lists are not exhaustive. For rarer and more serious reactions you may experience, please refer to the Side Effects tab on this page. Always read the patient information leaflet for comprehensive details.