dutasteride

Dutasteride is a synthetic 4-azasteroid and a dual 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor used primarily to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in adult males. It works by competitively and irreversibly inhibiting all three isoforms of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme (types I, II, and III), which are responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the main androgen involved in prostate growth; thus, inhibition leads to reduced serum DHT levels, decreased prostate volume, improved urinary symptoms, and reduced risk of acute urinary retention or need for prostate surgery. Dutasteride may be used alone or in combination with tamsulosin. It was approved by the FDA in 2001 and is marketed under brand names such as Avodart and Jalyn.

Brand names

AvodartJalyn

Other names

CKD 843CKD843CKD-843CKD-843-RCKD843-RCKD 843-R