Dutaheal 0.5 mg (Dutasteride)

INTRODUCTION ABOUT DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET

DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET contains Dutasteride which belongs to the group of medicines called 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors. It is used to manage the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) among adult men.

BPH (also known enlarged prostate) is a non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland caused due to increased production of a stress hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in aging men. Symptoms of BPH includes urinary problems such as difficulty in passing urine, urinary incontinence (unintentional passing of urine), frequent urination at night, sexual dysfunction, or painful ejaculation.

DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET is highly used in combination with other medicines (such as tamsulosin or silodosin) to achieve better results. During management with DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET, your doctor will regularly monitor your serum PSA levels (prostate specific antigen) to rule out risk of unwanted side effects.

Before taking DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET inform your doctor if you any liver or kidney problems. Women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant should not come in contact with DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET as it may cause serious harm to the growing fetus.

Men taking DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET should use condom to manage seminal exposure of DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET to their partners who are in childbearing age group.

They must also avoid donating their blood while on therapy with DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET and until at least 6 months after stopping the therapy to manage the exposure of dutasteride to a pregnant female transfusion recipient.

The most common side effects of taking DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET are low sex drive, impotence, difficulty in reaching orgasm, low sperm count and problems in ejaculation. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects trouble you.

USES OF DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET

It is used in adult men to manage the signs and symptoms of:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)

HOW DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET WORKS

DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It blocks the activity of certain enzymes (Type II 5α-reductase) in the body that is responsible for converting normal male hormones (testosterone) into stress hormones (dihydrotestosterone) which causes abnormal prostate enlargement. As a result, it shrinks the size of an enlarged prostate and reduces the signs and symptoms of BPH.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET can be taken with or without meals.

Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition. Do not stop taking DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET without consulting your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS OF DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:

• Medicines used to manage heart problems (Ex. verapamil or diltiazem)
• Medicines used to manage HIV infection (Ex. ritonavir or indinavir)
• Medicines used to manage fungal infections (Ex. itraconazole or ketoconazole)
• Nefazodone (a medicine used to manage depression)
• Other medicines used in the management of enlarged prostate such as alpha blockers (Ex. prazosin, terazosin and doxazosin)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally took more DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET out of reach of children
• Store DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET

Q: What is the use of DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET?

A: DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET is used to manage the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in adult men. It helps in the shrinkage of an enlarged prostate and reduce the unpleasant symptoms associated with BPH.

Q: Can DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET helps to urinate easily?

A: DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET shrinks the size of an abnormally enlarged prostate which obstructs urine flow in patients with BPH. As a result, it improves urine flow and reduces pain or discomfort while passing urine.

Q: Can DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET help to dissolve kidney stones?

A: No. DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET is only used to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia. It cannot dissolve kidney stones. However, consult your doctor before taking it.

Q: Can the use of DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET reduce hair fall?

A: DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET is intended to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is not recommended for use in reducing hair fall. However, consult your doctor before taking it.

Q: Can the use of DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET affect my sexual life?

A: DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET may cause problems in sperm release (ejaculation) or decrease in sex drive. These side effects are usually temporary and disappears once therapy has been stopped. However, consult your doctor if they trouble you.

Q: Can the use of DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET cause prostate cancer?

A: DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET may increase the risk of prostate cancer over prolonged use. Therefore, take DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET only as advised by your physician. During management with DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET, your doctor will regularly monitor your serum PSA levels (prostate specific antigen) to rule out risk of unwanted side effects.

Q: I wish to father a child. Can I use DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET?

A: Before taking DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET, inform your doctor if you are planning to have a baby, because it can be found in the semen of men taking it. Both pregnant women and women of child-bearing potential must not be exposed to this medicine either through direct handling or through semen, because it may harm to the unborn baby. Men taking DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET should use condom during sexual intercourse to manage seminal exposure of DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET to their partners. They must also avoid donating their blood while on therapy with DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET and until at least 6 months after stopping the therapy to manage the exposure of dutasteride to a pregnant female transfusion recipient.

Q: Can DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET cause infertility?

A: DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET does not make you infertile. However, it can reduce sex drive or can cause few problems in ejaculation. These side effects are usually temporary and disappears once therapy is stopped. However, consult your doctor if they trouble you. Also, take DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET only for the stipulated duration mentioned by your doctor to avoid the risk of side effects.

Q: Can the use of DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET make me feel dizzy?

A: DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET may make you feel dizzy or faint especially while changing position. Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.

Q: Who should not take DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET?

A: Do not take DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET if you have prostate cancer. It is not recommended for use in children and adolescents aged below 18 years. It should be used with caution in elderly patients. Women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant should not come in contact with DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET as it may cause serious harm to the growing fetus. Before taking DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET inform your doctor if you any liver or kidney problems.

Q: What is the best time to take DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET?

A: Take DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET regularly at the same time each day. It can be taken in the morning or at night with or without meals as instructed by your doctor.

Q: What are the side effects of DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET?

A: The most common side effects of taking DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET are low sex drive, impotence, difficulty in reaching orgasm, low sperm count and problems in ejaculation. Consult your doctor if any of these side effects trouble you.

Q: How long will it take for DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET to show the results?

A: It may take around 4 weeks for DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET to show results. However, this period may vary from patient-to-patient depending upon their disease condition. Therefore, continue to take this medicine as advised by your doctor.

Q: What to do if I forgot to take a dose of DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET?

A: If you have missed a dose of DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one regularly. Do not take a double dose of DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET to compensate the missed ones.

Q: Can I stop taking DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET once my symptoms subside?

A: Do not stop taking DUTANOL 0.5 TABLET without consulting your doctor. Make sure to take this medicine for the stipulated duration recommend