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Buy Dutasteride online in the UK
To buy Dutasteride UK from Oxford Online Pharmacy you can either:
- Send us your prescription: If you already have one, you can send it to us in the post.
- Free online consultation: You can get a free-of-charge consultation with one of the online doctors - click Start Consultation now at the top of this page to start the order process.
What is Dutasteride?
Dutasteride 0.5mg capsules, also known by the brand name Avodart is a prescription-only treatment for hair loss. It can be used alone or alongside other treatments such as Minoxidil or Alpecin C1 Shampoo.
If you have already tried Finasteride 1mg tablets for hair loss and they haven't worked, you may want to consider Dutasteride as an unlicensed alternative.
Before purchasing Dutasteride capsules, you should be aware that this drug was developed to treat enlarged prostate, however, now it is a popular treatment for male pattern baldness in men. Similar to Finasteride, it prevents testosterone from converting into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for hair loss. Clinical trials show Dutasteride is more effective than other hair loss treatments, improving hair counts within 24 weeks.1
If you are just starting treatment for hair loss and haven't tried any treatments before, we recommend starting with a combination of Regaine and Finasteride 1mg tablets. Alternatively, if you don't like taking tablets, you could consider trying a topical treatment for hair loss known as Finasteride, Minoxidil and Tretinoin spray.
What is Dutasteride used for?
Dutasteride is commonly used for hair loss treatment in men. It is approved for male pattern hair loss in some countries, but not in the UK. However, it can still be prescribed legally.
Dutasteride is used off-licence by men experiencing hair loss, also known as male pattern baldness. While this medicine is approved in some countries for treating hair loss, it's not yet in the UK. With this being said, it is still prescribed legally in the UK by registered Doctors.
How does Dutasteride work?
It blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that causes hair loss and prostate enlargement. As a dual 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, this medicine reduces DHT production, slowing hair loss and promoting hair regrowth. It works like Finasteride in reversing hair loss for men who experience male pattern baldness.
Dutasteride is only suitable for those born male who are aged 18 and over. Children and pregnant women should not take this medication because it can be harmful to the unborn baby.
Low-cost generic Avodart
Dutasteride is the generic version of Avodart, it contains the same active ingredients but generic drugs are often much cheaper. Avodart 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.
How to use Dutasteride?
You should take one 0.5mg capsule at the same time daily for best results. The capsule should be swallowed whole and should not be chewed or taken broken capsules to avoid potential irritation in your mouth.
Do NOT take more than the recommended, this won't make the capsules work any better and can increase the risk of side effects.
Always follow the instructions in the leaflet in your box before taking any medicine, don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
How long does it take for Dutasteride to work?
It takes around 6 months to notice visible changes such as hair thickness after starting this medication.
In most cases, Dutasteride causes levels of DHT to drop quickly, however, the hair follicles can then require months to recover and then begin growing thicker hair again. Because of this, you must take Dutasteride daily and continue the treatment for a minimum of 6 months before you assess how effective it is.
One tip we suggest is that you take a picture of the areas where you have experienced hair loss before the treatment. Then take a picture again after 6 months to compare the difference between them.
The earlier into your hair loss journey that you start taking this medicine, the better, as the more hair you have already lost, the more difficult it will be for the growth cycle to restart. You may find that you start to shed some hair during the initial stages of your treatment. This may be worrying, but you do not need to worry, as it is a common side effect, as damaged follicles will shed fine or thin hair to allow the thicker hair to grow in its place.
Warnings with Dutasteride
Dutasteride 0.5mg can treat male pattern baldness, but it's unlicensed for this use in the UK. We recommend first-time hair loss patients try Regaine foam and Finasteride 1mg tablets.
Originally created for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Dutasteride is only for men. The manufacturer may vary, and the capsules may contain soya oil.
For more information, you can refer to the Dutasteride BNF or the patient information leaflet.
Dutasteride side effects
This medicine can cause side effects, though not everyone gets them. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
- Allergic reactions: skin rash, hives, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, arms, or legs
Common side effects (up to 1 in 10 people):
- Impotence - this could continue after stopping treatment
- Decreased sex drive - this could continue after stopping treatment
- Ejaculation issues - this could continue after stopping treatment
- Breast enlargement or tenderness (gynecomastia)
- Dizziness (when taken with tamsulosin)
Uncommon side effects (up to 1 in 100 people):
- Heart failure (symptoms: shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, swelling in ankles and legs)
- Hair loss (usually from the body) or hair growth
Unknown frequency:
- Depressed mood
- Pain and swelling in testicles
General warnings:
Depression: This is rare and you should stop treatment with this medicine if you experience this.
Infertility: This can potentially happen to long-term users, however, it should go back to normal after stopping treatment with this medicine.
PSA test: Dutasteride/Finasteride can affect test results, so inform your doctor of your treatment before doing a test.
Breast changes: You should always report any lumps, pain, enlargement, or nipple discharge to your doctor.
Erectile dysfunction: This is a known side effect, you should consult a doctor if you are concerned.
Heart palpitations: This is rare and mainly experienced by men over the age of 60.
Reporting side effects:
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any side effects, including those not listed.
Report side effects via the Yellow Card Scheme.
Studies and risks:
Users of this medicine have a higher risk of sexual side effects like sexual dysfunction compared to Finasteride users.
Possible increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer; contact your doctor if you have symptoms like blood in the urine or difficulty urinating.
Please speak to our pharmacist if you have any concerns about these issues.
