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Dutasteride

Two dutasteride products sit on this shelf: Avodart, the single-ingredient capsule, and Jalyn, which pairs dutasteride with tamsulosin. Both treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, the enlargement of the prostate gland.

Avodart

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

0.5mg

Dutasteride soft gelatin capsules for benign prostatic hyperplasia. It blocks the hormone that causes the prostate to enlarge.

From$2.62/ capsuleView

Jalyn

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

0.5mg + 0.4mg

Dutasteride and tamsulosin capsules for an enlarged prostate. Dutasteride shrinks the prostate slowly, tamsulosin relaxes muscle to ease urination.

From$1.88/ capsuleView

Key points

  • Dutasteride belongs to the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor class and blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, the hormone that drives prostate growth.
  • Women who are or may become pregnant must not handle dutasteride capsules, as touching the contents may harm a developing fetus.
  • Dutasteride is also prescribed off-label for male pattern hair loss, supported by randomised clinical trials.

Common questions about Dutasteride

What is the difference between Avodart and Jalyn?

Avodart contains dutasteride alone at 0.5 mg. Jalyn adds 0.4 mg of tamsulosin, an alpha-blocker that relaxes the muscles around the prostate and bladder neck. The combination in Jalyn addresses two aspects of Prostate Health at once: dutasteride shrinks the gland over time, while tamsulosin eases urine flow.

How long does dutasteride take to work?

Dutasteride reaches a steady concentration in the body after roughly 3 to 6 months. A blood marker called PSA typically drops to about half its starting value after 3 months of treatment. This slow onset is due to the drug’s long half-life of up to 5 weeks, so it remains in the body long after the last dose.

Further reading