Propecia vs. Avodart

• Are Avodart and Propecia the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Propecia?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Avodart?
• What is Propecia?
• What is Avodart?
• What Drugs Interact with Propecia?
• What Drugs Interact with Avodart?
• How Should Propecia Be Taken?
• How Should Avodart Be Taken?

Propecia (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride) are used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate.

Both Propecia and Avodart are 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, but Propecia is an inhibitor of only the type II 5a-reductase, while Avodart is an inhibitor of both type I and type II 5a-reductase.

Common side effects of Propecia include:

• impotence,
• loss of interest in sex,
• trouble having an orgasm,
• abnormal ejaculation,
• swelling in your hands or feet,
• swelling or tenderness in your breasts,
• dizziness,
• weakness,
• feeling like you might pass out,
• headache,
• runny nose, or
• skin rash.

Common side effects of Avodart include:

• sexual problems (such as decreased sexual interest/ability, decrease in the amount of semen/sperm released during sex),
• impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection),
• testicle pain or swelling,
• increased breast size, or
• breast tenderness.

Propecia (finasteride) is a 5a-reductase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men only. Propecia is available in generic form.

Avodart (dutasteride) is a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound that is a selective inhibitor of both the type 1 and type 2 isoforms of steroid 5 alpha-reductase used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. Avodart helps improve urinary flow and may also reduce the need for prostate surgery later. Avodart is sometimes given with another medication called tamsulosin (Flomax). Avodart prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. Avodart may be available in generic form.

Propecia may interact with other drugs.

may interact with conivaptan, imatinib, isoniazid, antibiotics, antifungal medications, antidepressants, heart or blood pressure medications, or HIV/AIDS medicine.

Propecia is available in strength of 1 mg tablets; the recommended dose of Propecia is one tablet (1mg) taken once daily. In general daily use for three months is necessary before benefit is observed. Withdrawl of treatment leads to reversal of effect within 12 months.

The recommended dose of Avodart is 1 capsule (0.5 mg) taken once daily.