What is the most important information I should know about dutasteride and tamsulosin?
This medicine should never be handled or taken by a woman, a child, or a teenager.
What is dutasteride and tamsulosin?
Dutasteride prevents testosterone from converting to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Tamsulosin relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.
Dutasteride and tamsulosin is a combination medicine used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate.
Dutasteride and tamsulosin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dutasteride and tamsulosin?
Dutasteride and tamsulosin should never be taken by a woman, a child, or a teenager. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle dutasteride and tamsulosin capsules.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dutasteride, finasteride, or tamsulosin.
You should not take this medicine while you are taking tamsulosin (Flomax) or similar medicines, such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, silodosin, or terazosin.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- low blood pressure;
- high blood pressure;
- liver disease;
- prostate cancer; or
- an allergy to sulfa drugs or to finasteride (Propecia, Proscar).
Dutasteride and tamsulosin can affect your pupils. If you have cataract surgery, tell your surgeon ahead of time that you use this medicine.
Using dutasteride and tamsulosin may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Ask your doctor about this risk.
Dutasteride and tamsulosin is not for use by women. This medicine can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. Dutasteride and tamsulosin capsules should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant.
If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a leaking capsule, wash the area with soap and water right away.
How should I take dutasteride and tamsulosin?
Your doctor will perform blood tests to make sure you do not have conditions that would prevent you from safely using dutasteride and tamsulosin.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Take this medicine approximately 30 minutes after a meal, at the same time each day.
Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it. A broken or leaking dutasteride and tamsulosin capsule can irritate your lips, mouth, or throat.
You will need frequent medical tests. Your doctor will also test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check for prostate cancer.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not use a capsule that has been exposed to high heat, which can cause the capsule to change shape or color.
It may take up to 6 months before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose 30 minutes after your next meal, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
Call your doctor if you miss your doses for several days in a row. You may need to restart the medicine at a lower dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme dizziness or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking dutasteride and tamsulosin?
Do not donate blood while taking this medicine and for at least 6 months after your last dose. Dutasteride can be carried in the blood and could cause birth defects if a pregnant women receives a transfusion with blood that contains dutasteride.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
What are the possible side effects of dutasteride and tamsulosin?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Stop using dutasteride and tamsulosin and call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or
- penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.
Common side effects may include:
- dizziness;
- depressed mood;
- decreased libido (sex drive);
- decreased amount of semen released during sex;
- impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection);
- breast tenderness or enlargement;
- nipple discharge; or
- runny nose.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect dutasteride and tamsulosin?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Other drugs may affect dutasteride and tamsulosin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about dutasteride and tamsulosin.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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