Avodart/Dut - Dangers, Horror Stories, Success....who has been on it for a while?

I had been on Proscar since its launch in 1994 and found that, even at the higher dose (5 mg rather than the later-launched Propecia which is 1 mg) I continued to experience very slow hair loss and no significant hair regrowth.

In early 2003, I switched to Avodart just after it was launched and supplemented it with Xandrox15. I experienced significant hair regrowth at the vertex (essentially complete coverage) and nearly complete cessation of hairloss elsewhere. However, I did experience some sexual side effects (reduced libido, potency, ejactulatory volume, etc.), although this is not a constant problem--there are some days when it is not noticeable at all and other days when it more apparent. Overall, I would say that the increased effectiveness of this regimen is worth the occasional, minor sexual problems that arise from it.

Answers to your questions: 1. I have only used branded Avodart.

2. I'm a little baggy anyway; can't tell!

3. I have still experienced minor frontal hairloss, but that has been a persistent problem even when I was on Proscar.

4. I haven't had any recent shedding, but that may have been because I transitioned from Proscar to Avodart without an "off" period.

5. Results take time--your citation of 1-2 years may be correct.

6. I take this regimen daily, so I can't say what the effectiveness would be at less frequent intervals.

7. I would be skeptical about "permanent" lowering of DHT levels; note that the half-life of dutasteride is 5 weeks and blood levels of dutasteride can be significant in some cases up to 6 months--so the claims about "permanent" lowering may be a failure to retest DHT levels after this length of time.

8. Success stories: yes, check out what I said above in my case.

9. I tried controlling what little frontal hairloss I am still experiencing by adding spiro to my regimen, but it had an offensive odor (my bedmate HATED it)and, after 6 months, spiro did not appear to have an additive effect over what I was already taking so I discontinued it.

10. I am not aware of significant liver toxicty from Avodart. The pharmacologic problem is actually the reverse--a damaged liver may cause dutasteride levels to rise because it is not excreted as well. The real issue regarding side effects is sexual, as I have noted.

11. I'm a sound sleeper--no chance for dreams (vivid or dull!) with or without the regimen.

RonLev Philly

this is what almost everyone on the forums who have taken avodart for more than a year had to say and they all had success.

scientificaly,if you believe that dht is maninly to blame,like i do,then dutasteride is the strongest drug at reducing dht and depending on how much or how often you take it,with and ONLY with this drug and you will be able to reduce dht by nearly 100 percent.

As deejac said, right now avodart is the best way to fight DHT. And from what everyone seems to be saying on this thread, the side effects seem pretty rare. I worry a little about the long term affects, but I'm assumming in 3 to 5 years there'll be a better treatment anyways.

Not that I consider this to be an "urban myth", but I do considerable searching of the net to find any toxicity reports regarding medically-proven hair growth products and I have yet to find a legitimate citation connecting dutasteride with liver toxicity. I think it is driven by a misinterpretation of the pharmacologic facts by people who are looking for an excuse not to take Avodart. To wit:

(from a patient consent form from forhair.com, but similar texts can be found among many other websites) _____________________________________________________________ DUTASTERIDE

Dutasteride has not been studied in individuals under 18 years of age. No dose adjustment is necessary in the elderly. The effect of dutasteride on race has not been studied. The effect of renal impairment has not been studied but no dose adjustment is anticipated. The effect in hepatic impairment has not been studied, but it is anticipated that since dutasteride is metabolized by the liver that dose adjustment would be necessary in patients with hepatic impairment.

Dutasteride is metabolized by human cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP3A4. No clinical drug interaction studies have been performed to evaluate the impact of CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors on dutasteride pharmacokinetics. However, based on the in vitro data, blood concentrations of dutasteride may increase in the presence of inhibitors of CYP3A4 such as ritonavir, ketoconazole, verapamil, ditiazem, cimetidine, and ciprofloxacin. Clinical drug interaction studies have shown no pharmacologic or pharmacokinetic interactions between dutasteride and tamsulosin, terazosin, warfarin, and cholestyramine. Caution should be used in those with liver disease, who chronically take CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors. _________________________________________________________

Bottomline is that dutasteride is NOT associated with liver toxicity, but may cause interactions with other drugs in the presence of already existing liver disease. Also, already existing liver disease may cause an increase in the circulating dose of dutasteride (because of a reduction in the liver enzyme CYP3A4 that normally would inactivate dutasteride prior to its excretion) and this would require "an adjustment" of the dose of dutasteride in those patients--but even in those patients, dutasteride can still be taken albeit in lower doses.

If anyone has a LEGITIMATE medical citation to dutasteride causing liver toxicity, please post it on this forum.

RonLev Philly

there has never been a single study done that links dutasteride to liver disease but yet the anti drug people always seem to pull that one out,when a link is asked for it is never provided.

the only reason anyone should not take avodart are if they are in the 2 percent who experience side effects or they are responding well enough on propecia.

in my opinion and based on my experience,its a great drug with little to no side effects and what little side effects i did notice in the first month or two(dry skin,less ejaculatory fluid,ect)all have gone and i cant even tell i am taking any drug anymore if it wasnt for the new hair i am growing.