Dutasteride for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia User Reviews (Page 2)

• PEI...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2019

"I have found Avodart highly effective at treating symptoms of my enlarged prostate, but it is a long-term drug. It took me about 2 months to start seeing an improvement in my BPH symptoms, and I really noticed major improvement by month 5. So I’m glad I stuck to my doctor’s advice to give it time. She also went over the side effects very carefully with me, noting it can be a good drug for some men and a poor drug for others. What discourages a lot of men is that while the benefits take months, the side effects hit you after a few days. A reduction in sexual interest will happen. You need to consider that ahead of time before going on it. If you currently enjoy a good sex life, you should avoid this drug if possible. But if you are in a sexless marriage like me, fairly common by the BPH age, then maybe the side effects are welcome. In my case, my wife is in menopause, and I like my decreased desire."

• Udo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 1, 2020

Dutasteride "From everything I've read, Avodart is supposed to shrink your prostate and/or lower PSA levels over a certain period of time. Been on a combo of Flomax and Avodart for almost 18 months now, and my PSA level is still elevated (5-7, age 65). Also have low-grade cancer, 3+3 on Gleason score. Urinary issues have certainly improved, however, and no serious side effects seen as yet. Will see how this plays out."

• RJg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 23, 2021

Dutasteride "Been on Dutasteride and Tamsulosin for about four years. Reduction in libido, dry ejaculation, and need encouragement to get an erection. Starting to get fuller around the chest and losing body hair, but not obvious to others at the moment, and I am monitoring it. Shrunk prostate. I get up once or twice per night to wee. I am 75."

• bob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 28, 2020

"Dutasteride is awesome! Been using it for 2 years. Prostate is tiny now. Hairline is growing back, body hair is reduced, although I didn't have that much before. Sexual side effect, semen volume is definitely reduced, however, no problems with erection or orgasm when I have a stimulating subject."

• joe...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 22, 2020

"I've been on dutasteride for two years now for benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is a miracle for the prostate. I can sleep through the whole night now, and most of all, avoid surgery. My wife and I expected a little dip in libido, so she takes a little more time getting things going. Only real complaint is when I'm not erect, my penis retracts into my body now, where it used to hang down a couple of inches. My wife pointed it out to me during foreplay. My urologist says she's seen this many times and there's nothing to worry about. I don't like urinating sitting, and I'm a little embarrassed during foreplay, but we try to have a sense of humor about it."

• Gre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 31, 2022

"I have taken Dutasteride for 3 years. I am 75. I have had all the sexual side effects. My PSA did go down. I now have swollen testicles, inflamed sinuses, terrible back pain, terrible leg pain, and joint pain. Do not take this pill. I should have had surgery 3 years ago, and it would be over. DO NOT TAKE THIS PILL."

• Tom...
• May 5, 2020

"Have been on this medication, dutasteride, for a little under a year, and my PSA went from 15 down to 6. My problem is that the new generic brand I was just given is giving me headaches and shortness of breath. I was told it's not the drug itself but what is used to compound the medication. I started taking the medication every second day, but by the end of the second day, I am back to normal. My urologist told me to work with my pharmacy to try to get the medication from the prior company, but they are not making this medication any longer. Be careful with the generics out there."

• Ran...
• September 8, 2016

Dutasteride "Been taking Flomax and Avodart together for about 18 months. They work very well (no more frequent urination unless I drink 2 large teas or coffees) and no side effects whatsoever so far (other than 'reverse ejaculation' from the Flomax, which is actually a bonus)."

• Rol...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 29, 2019

"Aside from side effects reported by others, I've experienced, from several years of use, two further side effects that should be of great concern to doctors: one was a heart arrhythmia that was severe enough to warrant being sent to a cardiologist who prescribed unnecessary statin drugs. And the final straw was a complete loss of taste and smell. Only after refusing to take any drugs whatsoever for six months did I discover that dutasteride (Avodart) was responsible. I have not fully regained my taste and smell and may never due to nerve damage!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 11, 2022

"I am 80+ years. I was first put on Avodart and tamsulosin in Jan 2021 and was switched to Duodart in April 2021 out of convenience. I was also diagnosed with lumbar spondylosis but was largely asymptomatic. I started to experience low back pain in June 2021 and sought relief via a physiotherapist and a chiropractor. The hip pain intensified despite costly treatments. My attention was then drawn to my medication and side effects. As a result, I have found similar instances of pain experienced by others. I have stopped taking the drug!"

• Dr ...
• December 17, 2016

"I have been taking this for more than six months. No side effects. Have all the positive effects, like the prostate size has reduced, thinning of hair reduced, rather, it seems new hair has grown. (It is the comment of my barber.)"

• Dav...
• August 15, 2023

Dutasteride "Age 70. Taking Avodart for 10 months. PSA now 1.8. I have an enlarged medium lobe. Doc said it will take a year before it works if it does. I waited too long and wish I had started Avodart five years ago. I have no side effects at all except for lower semen. It did not affect sexual performance at all. I'll stick with it for two years. Alternatives like surgery are so risky. Although prostate embolization is on my radar screen."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2020

"My father was on this medication as well as Flomax for a couple of months, at best. Within days of him taking these, he had complaints of loss of taste. His appetite diminished, and he lost about 30 pounds. His primary care doctor recommended cutting out the Flomax, which did not change anything. Next, we cut out Avodart, and he's slowly (very slowly) starting to taste certain items again. The urologist gave us the 'in 20 years of prescribing this medication, I've never heard of that,' and basically said that it was not the cause, merely a coincidence. I understand half-lives and that the medication 'should' be out of his system within days, but it's only common sense that not everyone's body is going to react the same. I'm looking for a new urologist, to say the least."

• Ala...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2023

Dutasteride "At 62 years old, I ended up in the ICU a couple of times due to a full bladder and lack of urine flow, resulting in the need for a catheter each time. My prostate size was 150. I started taking Avodart 6 months ago, and the first month was easy. However, by the third month, I experienced a complete loss of libido. I have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection, and if it does happen, there is very little ejaculation. I'm looking forward to the surgery scheduled for next month, as I cannot continue with this medication in the long term."

• Pet...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 28, 2023

"At 35 years old, they told me my prostate was that of a 60-year-old. I went to a specialist, and it was very uncomfortable seeing blood in my urine. My great doctor, Christopher Jones, Utah, told me about this pill when I was around 48, and now I’m getting close to 70. All my check-ups are normal every year since I’ve been taking it, but I take one pill every other day, and there are no side effects."

• Chr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 15, 2021

"I have been on dutasteride 0.5 mg and tamsulosin 0.4 mg for about 6 months now. Has not helped with flow at all and seems to be worse now. These 2 drugs have chemically castrated me! I will give natural path supplements a try as I am sure the side effects will be less dramatic. The castration side effect from these drugs is something I just can't tolerate!"

• Ger...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 4, 2024

Dutasteride "BPH since my late 50s. Used Avodart right away and had the usual sexual symptoms but mild and with good flow and sleep. Had TUNA surgery (not TURP). This surgery allowed me to feel young again and be drug-free for about three years. Then I could feel the flow gradually weakening. I have been back on daily Avodart for the last 8-10 years and with good flow and sleep. Now 70, once again I can slowly feel Avodart is losing the battle. My flow is weakening once again. I dread and suspect TURP will be my next step, unfortunately. (Never could take the Flomax type of meds due to lightheadedness symptoms.)"

• Joh...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 30, 2021

"Was put on Dutasteride + Tamsulosin by my urologist when aged 62. For the first 3 years, I thought it a wonder drug. Then the ED symptoms started creeping in. With my doctor's approval, I swapped the Tamsulosin for 2.5 mg Tadalafil. Things improved but steadily declined over the next 2 years. Loss of libido and ED even with a boost of Tadalafil on fun nights. Again, with my doctor's approval, I eliminated the culprit Dutasteride and went on 5.0 mg Tadalafil. Several months in and I am happy. Libido and erections are in positive territory and improving. My prostate is certain to grow back in size, but I will deal with it if and when it becomes significant."

• Nor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2023

"Confusion/brain fog. Almost wrecked my car. Was starting to get breast tissue. Two months after discontinuation I still can't climax properly. Some erectile dysfunction as well. So, can't really share anything positive. Would be better off leaving it alone and not entirely sure why it's on the market. It does help with urination. I guess if you had zero interest in sex or concern over gyno, it might make sense."

• Nor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 11, 2022

Dutasteride "Have both BPH and low-grade prostate cancer (Gleason 3+3). Been on Flomax and Avodart for several years now with the common side effect of ejaculate issues, but that's about it. 67 yrs old and on active surveillance. PSA levels still elevated even with Avodart, and my most recent PSA test was 11.2 reading. MRI scheduled just to make sure there is nothing more sinister going on. Take both pills usually in early evening post-meals."

• Rab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2022

"Took dutasteride 0.5 mg for 6 months. First 2-3 months, symptoms of BPH and urine flow got better, but PSA had no significant change. All known side effects started to appear, additionally, I got an accelerated and strong heartbeat felt in the side neck after moderate work. This developed to moderate to severe pain in the heart and breast region. Add to this, my lipid blood profile, especially LDL, got very high. After 6 months of use, the doctor advised to discontinue and check. Signs got gradually less until an additional six months had passed. Now signs are very moderate - nearly vanished - and hope it will completely disappear soon."

• Ahm...
• July 14, 2021

"I suffer from androgenic alopecia when I started to take dutasteride for 10 months. During this period, I was shedding. In only 10 months, my hair became thinner and not as fine as it was. Why did dutasteride make my hair so bad?"

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2025

"I am 61 and have been taking DUODART for 3 months to cure my BPH. Before DUODART, I had nocturia, urinating 6 times a night but with little urine coming out. Hard to start my pee and very weak urine flow. After taking DUODART, I do not have nocturia anymore, and the urine flow has definitely increased. Will continue taking it for 3 more months and then will check if my PSA level has decreased to normal levels."

• ts5...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 30, 2012

Dutasteride "I have been taking Avodart for about a year now. It has improved my night urinating, but I really do not like the decreased sex drive, ability to achieve a full erection, and decreased semen output."

• Anonymous
• October 11, 2009

Dutasteride "After two months, it had completely killed my libido and my ability to obtain an erection even with Viagra on board!"