Dutasteride — what it treats and how it works
Dutasteride is a prescription pill most commonly used for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which means an enlarged prostate. It blocks both type I and II 5-alpha-reductase enzymes, cutting DHT (dihydrotestosterone) levels more than finasteride. Lower DHT helps shrink prostate tissue and can slow male-pattern hair loss when a doctor prescribes it off-label.
How dutasteride works and typical dosing
The usual dose for BPH is 0.5 mg once daily. You can take it with or without food, ideally at the same time each day. Expect slow changes: symptom relief for BPH often appears after 3 months and more clearly by 6 months. For hair loss, visible benefits usually take 6–12 months. Because dutasteride stays in the body longer (it has a long half-life), effects can last weeks to months after you stop taking it.
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it’s almost time for the next dose. Don’t double up. Never change dose or stop treatment without talking to your prescriber, especially since benefits and side effects can take months to appear or resolve.
Side effects, precautions, and monitoring
The most common side effects are sexual: lower libido, erectile dysfunction, or problems with ejaculation. Some men notice breast tenderness or growth. If you see breast lumps, nipple discharge, or sudden changes in sexual function, contact your doctor. Dutasteride can lower PSA values by roughly half — tell any clinician doing prostate screening that you take dutasteride so they can interpret PSA correctly.
Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant must avoid handling broken tablets and must not take dutasteride. The drug can cause birth defects in male fetuses. Men should avoid donating blood while on dutasteride and for at least six months after stopping, to prevent exposing a pregnant transfusion recipient.
Caution with liver disease: the medicine is processed in the liver, so doctors may check liver function or choose a different option if you have liver problems. There are no major common drug interactions, but always give your full medication list to the prescriber — some combinations need closer monitoring.
Thinking about buying dutasteride online? Use only reputable pharmacies and a valid prescription. Cheap or unverified sources risk counterfeit medicine, wrong doses, or unsafe storage. If you’re considering dutasteride for hair loss, discuss the pros and cons with a clinician; finasteride or topical options may be better fits depending on goals and side effects.
Bottom line: dutasteride can be effective for prostate enlargement and, off-label, for hair loss. It works slowly, can cause sexual side effects, affects PSA tests, and carries a clear pregnancy risk. Talk to your doctor, get regular follow-up, and buy from trusted sources when filling the prescription.
