Dutasteride And Tamsulosin (Oral Route)

Note: Women of childbearing potential should not use or handle this medicine. Dutasteride can cause birth defects in male fetuses.

Dutasteride and tamsulosin combination is used to treat men who have symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland, which is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Benign enlargement of the prostate is a problem that can occur in men as they get older. The prostate gland is located below the bladder. When the prostate gland gets larger, certain muscles in the gland get in the way of the tube that drains urine from the bladder. This can cause problems with urinating, such as a need to urinate often, a weak stream when urinating, or a feeling of not being able to empty the bladder completely.

Dutasteride blocks the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme changes testosterone to another hormone that causes the prostate gland to grow. Dutasteride will cause the size of the prostate to decrease, but the effect lasts only as long as the medicine is taken. If it is stopped, the prostate begins to grow again.

Tamsulosin helps relax the muscles in the prostate gland and the opening of the bladder. This may help increase the flow of urine or decrease symptoms.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Capsule

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of dutasteride and tamsulosin combination in the elderly.

Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Boceprevir

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Atazanavir
• Ceritinib
• Clarithromycin
• Cobicistat
• Conivaptan
• Idelalisib
• Indinavir
• Itraconazole
• Ketoconazole
• Lopinavir
• Nefazodone
• Nelfinavir
• Paroxetine
• Posaconazole
• Ritonavir
• Saquinavir
• Tadalafil
• Telaprevir
• Telithromycin
• Voriconazole

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acebutolol
• Alprenolol
• Atenolol
• Avanafil
• Betaxolol
• Bevantolol
• Bisoprolol
• Bucindolol
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol
• Celiprolol
• Cimetidine
• Ciprofloxacin
• Dilevalol
• Diltiazem
• Esmolol
• Ketoconazole
• Labetalol
• Levobunolol
• Mepindolol
• Metipranolol
• Metoprolol
• Nadolol
• Nebivolol
• Oxprenolol
• Penbutolol
• Pindolol
• Propranolol
• Ritonavir
• Sildenafil
• Sotalol
• Talinolol
• Tertatolol
• Timolol
• Vardenafil
• Verapamil

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.