dutasteride and tamsulosin

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Pronunciation: doo TAS ter ide and tam soo LOE sin

Brand: Jalyn

What is the most important information I should know about dutasteride and tamsulosin?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to dutasteride (Avodart) or tamsulosin (Flomax). Do not take dutasteride and tamsulosin if you are also taking alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), tamsulosin (Flomax), or terazosin (Hytrin).

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.

This medication 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.

Do not donate blood while taking this medication and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends. Dutasteride can be carried in the blood and could cause birth defects if a pregnant women receives a transfusion with blood that contains dutasteride.

Using dutasteride and tamsulosin may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have other conditions that would prevent you from safely using dutasteride and tamsulosin.

Tamsulosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using dutasteride and tamsulosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

There are many other drugs that can interact with dutasteride and tamsulosin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use.

What is dutasteride and tamsulosin?

Dutasteride prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Tamsulosin is in a group of drugs called alpha-adrenergic (AL-fa ad-ren-ER-jik) blockers. Tamsulosin relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.

The combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin is 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?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to dutasteride (Avodart) or tamsulosin (Flomax).

Do not take dutasteride and tamsulosin if you are also taking alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), tamsulosin (Flomax), or terazosin (Hytrin).

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.

To make sure you can safely take this medication, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

  • low blood pressure;
  • high blood pressure (hypertension);
  • liver disease;
  • severe kidney disease;
  • a history of prostate cancer; or
  • if you are allergic to sulfa drugs or to finasteride (Propecia, Proscar).

Using dutasteride and tamsulosin may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have other conditions that would prevent you from safely using dutasteride and tamsulosin.

Although dutasteride and tamsulosin is not for use by women, this medication 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.

Tamsulosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using dutasteride and tamsulosin before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

How should I take dutasteride and tamsulosin?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Dutasteride and tamsulosin is usually taken once a day, approximately 30 minutes after a meal. Try to take this medication at the same time each day.

Do not crush, chew, or open a dutasteride and tamsulosin capsule. Swallow it whole. A broken or leaking dutasteride and tamsulosin capsule can irritate your lips, mouth, or throat.

Tamsulosin lowers blood pressure and may cause dizziness or fainting, especially when you first start taking dutasteride and tamsulosin. Call your doctor if you have severe dizziness or feel like you might pass out.

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.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested often. Your doctor will also test your prostate specific antigen (PSA) to check for prostate cancer. Visit your doctor regularly.

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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose 30 minutes after your next meal. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you miss your doses for several days in a row, contact your doctor before restarting the medication. You may need 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 medication and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends. Dutasteride can be carried in the blood and could cause birth defects if a pregnant women receives a transfusion with blood that contains dutasteride.

Dutasteride and tamsulosin may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

What are the possible side effects of dutasteride and tamsulosin?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

  • feeling like you might pass out; or
  • penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Less serious side effects may include:

  • decreased libido (sex drive);
  • decreased amount of semen released during sex;
  • impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection);
  • breast tenderness or enlargement;
  • mild dizziness; 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?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

  • cimetidine (Tagamet);
  • conivaptan (Vaprisol);
  • cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
  • imatinib (Gleevec);
  • isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);
  • methimazole (Tapazole);
  • pioglitazone (Actos);
  • ropinirole (Requip);
  • ticlopidine (Ticlid);
  • a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
  • an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), doxycycline (Adoxa, Alodox, Avidoxy, Oraxyl, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), metronidazole (Flagyl, Protostat), telithromycin (Ketek), terbinafine (Lamisil), or tetracycline (Ala-Tet, Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap);
  • an antidepressant such as clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), nefazodone, paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or trazodone (Desyrel, Oleptro);
  • antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Oravig), or voriconazole (Vfend);
  • anti-malaria medication such as chloroquine (Arelan) or pyrimethamine (Daraprim), or quinine (Qualaquin);
  • erectile dysfunction medicine such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra);
  • heart or blood pressure medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), nicardipine (Cardene), or quinidine (Quin-G), and others;
  • HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir); or
  • medicine to treat psychiatric disorders, such as aripiprazole (Abilify), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), haloperidol (Haldol), perphenazine (Trilafon), or thioridazine (Mellaril).

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with dutasteride and tamsulosin. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

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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