Dutasteride Online in the UK
If you’re a man suffering from hair loss and you've tried finasteride, dutasteride is an unlicenced alternative. However, it is always important to know what you’re purchasing before you commit to any course of medical treatment.
So, what is Dutasteride? This is a prescription drug that comes in oral capsule form. It can be purchased as a generic drug, yet it is also available as Avodart, which is simply the branded version of this medication.
Dutasteride can be used on its own, yet it can also be used alongside other treatments such as minoxidil.
Although this medication was traditionally created to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is the enlargement of the prostate, it has now become a common treatment for hair loss in men. It works in a similar way as Finasteride does, which is another standard hair loss treatment. Both medications are designed to prevent testosterone from being converted into dihydrotestosterone, otherwise known as DHT. DHT is a hormone that results in male pattern baldness. We’ll explain more about Finasteride and Dutasteride below so you can understand the differences between the two.
Studies have found that dutasteride is more effective at treating male pattern baldness than other hair loss medications and significantly improves hair counts in as little as 24 weeks.
Dutasteride was originally licenced for the treatment of an enlarged prostate, this is something your GP will need to prescribe. This is because men who have enlarged prostates need to have frequent blood tests and prostate examinations to ensure that their treatment is effective and safe.
We do not recommend this product for first-time hair loss patients - to begin with, please try a combination of Regaine and Finasteride 1mg tablets.
Low-cost generic Avodart
Dutasteride is the generic version of Avodart, containing the same active ingredient at a much lower price. Avodart (dutasteride) was approved for the “treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate to improve symptoms” on November 20, 2001.
Like Dutasteride, Avodart is not licenced or approved by the MHRA for the treatment of hair loss, however, healthcare professionals can prescribe this medication off licence.
The recommended dose is one capsule taken once a day.
Swallow the capsules whole with water.
Do not chew or break open the capsule.
Contact with the contents of the capsules may make your mouth or throat sore.
Dutasteride 0.5mg can be used to treat male pattern baldness / hair loss in men but this is currently an unlicensed use in the UK
We do not recommend this product for first time hair loss patients - to begin with please try a combination of Regaine and Finasteride 1mg tablets
Originally developed for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Can only be used by men.
Actual manufacturer may vary from pack shown
May contain Soya Oil
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Allergic reaction Contact your doctor immediately if you get any of these symptoms, and stop using Dutasteride capsules. The signs of allergic reactions can include:
skin rash (which can be itchy)
hives (like nettle rash)
swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, arms or legs
Other side effects can occur with the following frequencies:
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Not able to achieve or maintain an erection (impotence) *this may continue after you stop taking Dutasteride capsules
Decreased sex drive (libido) *this may continue after you stop taking Dutasteride capsules
Difficulty with ejaculation *this may continue after you stop taking Dutasteride capsules
Breast enlargement or tenderness (gynecomastia)
Dizziness when taken with tamsulosin
Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Heart failure (heart becomes less efficient at pumping blood around the body. You may have symptoms such as shortness of breath, extreme tiredness and swelling in your ankles and legs)
Hair loss (usually from the body) or hair growth
Not known side effects (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
Depressed mood
Pain and swelling in your testicles
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Important information about side-effects of these medications:
Finasteride (Propecia) and Avodart (dutasteride) cause the lowering of your natural testosterone levels (rarely) leading to side effects such as impotence and prostate problems. In addition, a very small number of patients have reported symptoms of depression and (rarely) suicidal thoughts.
A recent study has concluded:
The incidence of erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction and decreased libido resulting in discontinuation from therapy was significantly higher in the Dutasteride (5.1%, 2.4%, 2.7%, respectively) compared with the finasteride (2.1%, 1.8%, 1.4%, respectively) group (p < 0.01) (reference Science Direct comparisons of finasteride and dutasteride)
A recent study has shown that patients taking Dutasteride (or Finasteride) have a lower overall risk of low-grade prostate cancer but a higher risk of more serious (high-grade) prostate cancer. If you have any symptoms such as blood in the urine or difficultly urinating (passing water) you should contact your doctor for advice.
Please speak to our pharmacist if you have any concerns about these issues.