Can anyone share their experience with Dutasteride (Avodart)?

I believe @jimha @grandpun @prostatecancer123 @bjroc may have experiences with dutasteride (Avodart) that they could share and offer thoughts about your concerns with side effects.

@joe1, have you started with dutasteride?

Hi,

No, I haven't started the dutasteride as I'm afraid of the side effects. I have a bad history of getting side effects when they are only a minute possibility. I expressed this to my doctor and he downplayed them, but he is also the one who completely contradicts himself on my cancer treatment too. I'd love to hear from others who have taken dutasteride, but I don't really want to bug anyone.

I used Dutasteride for my BPH for several years with NO problems. Since you asked I looked up the Mayo Clinic info on it and found these "Rare" side effects:
Rare:
Chest pain or discomfort
dilated neck veins
extreme fatigue
irregular breathing
irregular heartbeat
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
trouble breathing
weight gain
Here's a link to that page:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/dutasteride-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20063575
I took Tamsulosin at the same time for the same problem. Again, NO problems for me. And the Mayo page for this showed:

More common:
Cough or hoarseness
fever or chills
lower back or side pain
painful or difficult urination

Less common:
Chest pain

There's a few "Rare" side effects but won't trouble to list them here. That suggests to me that Dutasteride is even more tolerable than Tamsulosin by comparison.

As with all meds, be cautious when you start them since we're all different and you seem predisposed to some reactions.
But I had no trouble whatsoever.
And BTW, I had RALP in January of 2022 (my prostrate was 76cc, an aggressive spot found in pathology, and positive margins) followed by 2-years of Lupron shots. Now I'm off all PC meds or procedures and at a negligible PSA.
I hope your journey is even more successful than mine.
Be brave but careful my brother.

Hi,

Thanks for that info. The known side effect that worries most is the possibility of developing aggressive prostate cancer (mine is not considered aggressive at this time).

Did the dutasteride shrink your prostate and relieve some of your urinary symptoms? You said your prostate was 76cc.....was it bigger than that before you started dutasteride?

Thanks
Joe

@joel . I'm almost 85 and have been on Dutasteride for almost 5 years . NO SIDE EFFECTS WHATSOEVER - NONE . A key piece of advice which I was not given by my family doctor OR pharmacy . WHEN YOU ARE ON DUTASTERIDE , IT CUTS YOUR PSA IN HALF . THEREFORE WHEN YOU GET A " LAB PSA RESULT " You have to double the number to get the true actual PSA . My lab PSA is 8.4 my true PSA is 16.8 My prostate is at 80cc . It will shrink your prostatee slightly . It will not give you aggressive cancer . Your best bet - if you plan to stay on Active Surveillance , PSA every 3 months , DRE and an MRI at 12 to 18 months after your 1st . Concult with your Urologist about a REZUM procedure . You can have this procedure and later have an alternate treatment . Radiation etc . Also investigate Monotherapy SBRT - 5 treatments .
Viewing your situation I would strongly recommend the following .
# 1 Get a 2nd opinion or 3rd opinion of your biopsy slides . My 1st Biopsy results came back negative - A time to celebrate - HELL NO , my MRI PI-RADS 5 was in total conflict with this result . My 2nd Biopsy came back Gleason 3 + 3 = 6 . It took a 2nd & 3rd opinion of the pathology results to finally settle on : 4 Cores G6 and 2 Cores Gleason 3 + 4 = 7 .
#2 Have an MRI ASAP , and check the results against your pre Biopsy MRI . I assume you had a Transperineal or Transrectal MRI Fusion Biopsy . This will determine any changes in your tumor .
What was your MRI RADS Score ? Have you had a Bone or CT Scan "
Have to read Dr. Patrick Walsh's 5th Edition book " Guide to Surviving Prostate Cancer " A highly recommended must educational read .
A 2nd or 3rd opinion of your gleason score is highly recommended .

Thanks for the advice. I actually have just had a 2nd MRI, and this one indicated PIRAD 5 (the last one was only 2), so I am heading for a fusion biopsy this time (last one was just ultrasound).

Did the Dutasteride help your urinary symptoms? Did you have less trips to the bathroom at night and a better stream?

Thanks
Joe

I took dutasteride and bicalutamide for several months, and definitely bicalutamide is worse but the combo will take your PSA to 1 for sure (mine was 16 before both meds). After I took those two I had Tulsa Pro and I had a real lot of BPH. Prostate around 100cc at time of Tulsa Pro and before the dutasteride and bicalutamide about 110cc. I think there are things you should look at. First Tulsa Pro if you get a biopsy needing treatment. But beyond that I am having to learn what to do to stop BPH. And I don't mean with dutasteride which does not solve the underlying problems. Some things to look at are getting your hormones checked, testosterone and estrogen. Estrogen at top 1/4 of range for a male isn't great especially if your testosterone by age has come down to bottom 1/3 of range for a male.

Watch the game changers movie and consider that kind of anti-inflammatory approach that also works with hormones some. I am looking at that now.
https://gamechangersmovie.com/
Then if the testosterone to estrogen ratio isn't that great (should be greater than 10 as a ratio) well then: exercise, weight loss, control blood sugar, stop using plastiv or plastic touching food, and consider DIM, SGS or progesterone. Before progesterone, or in the interim, DIM or Sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS) which are OTC supplements can be tried to see if ratio improves and if not progesterone which is truly natural way to reduce estrogen. If interested I can post more on that but you have to stop the BPH from getting worse as it is a breeding ground for prostate cancer which loves BPH tissue.

@joel Initially I was on Flomax for a number of years . Yes the Dutasteride did improve my stream and reduced my running to the bathroom at night . The major key though -- DO NOT CONSUME LOTS OF FLUID BEFORE GOING TO BED . I CUT DOWN - IT WAS A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT .
Get a " TRANSPERINEAL MRI Fusion Biopsy " -- less risk of infection ( possible Sepsis ) for obvious reasons . Some countries have banned Transrectal Biopsies ( Norway for example ) -- many Urologists refuse Transrectal Biopsies . And do get other opinions on your biopsy results .
A true Gleason scoree determines your treatment options .

I replied to joe1. I have been on Dutasteride for almost 5 years . One of the most critical points which I pointed out . " If you continue on Dutasteride , you have to " DOUBLE YOUR LAB PSA RESULTS " A LAB PSA off say 6 is really a 12 . Important when you are tracking your PSA doubling time . I have had Zero side effects .
Dutasteride reduces the size of your prostate & Lowers your PSA .