Avodart

Much of the hair loss treatments for male androgenetic apolecia today are directed at managing the overproduction of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), for a good reason. DHT is a male hormone that is present in the scalp. It is converted from testosterone by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, and elevated levels of DHT in the scalp cause hair follicles to miniaturize resulting in thinner hair at every regrowth to their eventual disappearance.

Avodart (generic name: Dutasteride) belongs in a class of drugs known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. It seems logical for these medications to inhibit the overproduction of 5-alpha reductase, to prevent DHT levels from increasing, hence preventing hair loss. This is the same mechanism of action that Propecia (finasteride) exhibited to make it earn the approval of the U.S. FDA as safe and effective in the treatment of hair loss.

The use of Avodart for prostate that enlarged, as a symptom of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is more renowned rather than it is a medication for the treatment of hair loss. Like several other 5-alpha reductase medications aiming to follow the footsteps of Propecia (finasteride), the manufacturer of Avodart has yet to produce scientific evidence to back their claims.

So far, the other drug approved by the FDA as safe and relatively effective for hair loss treatment is Rogaine (minoxidil), yet, even this drug needs to be taken with finasteride to achieve the best results.

Like finasteride, Avodart (dutasteride) inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase from converting testosterone into DHT. However, unlike finasteride (which only inhibits Type 1 form of the enzyme), dutasteride has the ability to inhibit both Type 1 and Type 2 of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This property makes the drug more potent against BPH, but it also increases the incidence of possible adverse effects.

The Type 2 form of the enzyme is predominant in the hair follicles while the Type 1 form is present mainly in the sebaceous glands and scalp, however experts are still unable to determine exactly its role in hair growth.

About Avodart Effects On Hair Growth

Patients experiencing hair loss must remember that Avodart is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia to improve symptoms, lessen the risks associated with acute urinary retention, and reduce the need for BPH surgery. The recommended daily dose of Avodart is 0.5mg/day. In the clinical studies, this dosage was able to achieve a reduction in serum DHT concentrations by 85% and 90%, after the first and second weeks, respectively.

Based on these results, Avodart (dutasteride) should be able to deliver better results than finasteride in the treatment of androgenetic apolecia. However, because the levels of Type 1 and Type 2 forms of the enzyme are not significantly high in the hair follicles, Avodart body hair growing properties may not be as effectively high as expected.

Avodart Side Effects

After extensive controlled multi-center studies that involved 4,325 men, 50 years old and above who had prostate enlargement, Avodart side effects were noted. The results of the study seemed to correlate Avodart and impotence (4.7%). Some of the participants (3%) also experienced a decrease in libido, breast tenderness, breast enlargement or gynecomastia (0.5%), and ejaculation disorders (1.4%).

Pregnant women are also warned against handling dutasteride because it can be possibly absorbed in the bloodstream and pose subsequent risks to male fetuses. On the other hand, men who are taking dutasteride are discouraged from donating blood until at least six months after discontinuation of the medicine. Serum concentrations of dutasteride were noted to be high even after five weeks of use, compared to only 6-8 hours for finasteride.

Avodart (dutasteride) is available only by presription. It is best to stay within the recommended daily dose of the medicine and always consult your doctor for any possible side effects of Avodart.