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How risky/safe is taking Avodart (Dutasteride)?

Posted , 13 users are following.

steve07664
steve07664

My urologist asked me to take Avodart for 3 months to see how much it can shrink my 71 gram prostate, then possibly follow up with the Rezum procedure.  My prostate grew from 60 grams to 71 grams in the 16 months between MRI's.  (Prostate cancer ruled out with biopsy about 18 months ago, but did find I have a median lobe.)

Long story overall, but I'm 54 years old, urination difficulties started about 3 years ago, and it's very intermittent.  Most days urination is decent, I only get up once per night, but then about one day per week I'll have a day or two where I can barely urinate at all, and might be in the bathroom every hour until it finally starts to flow.  I've had a few mornings where I couldn't urinate at all for several hours, despite a massive urge. 

My question is about the risk of taking Avodart.  I've seen studies that show the majority of side effects occur in the first few months of taking it, and can be permanent. And I've seen a few comments in this forum from people who've had problems, and call it "chemical castrations".

I'd definitely appreciate any inputs based on experiences with this drug...

0 likes, 24 replies

24 Replies

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  • stan98754
    stan98754 steve07664

    Posted

    For  big Median lobe  are effective just 2  low invasive methods  REZUM and FLA.  I reccomend to make decision a.s.a.p.   Stan.  For more details just PM me.  Stan
  • lester90053
    lester90053 steve07664

    Posted

    I took Avodart and other meds like it, They did nothing for the prostate but caused other problems. I discovered that a simple diuretic prescribed to me for swollen feet and lower blood pressure also increased the flow of urination with no side effects. You do however have to increase your liquid intake to avoid dehydration.
    • derek76
      derek76 lester90053

      Posted

      When I was prescribed a diuretic for hypertension I had a pain in the pelvic area that I assumed was my prostate. My urine output also dropped. I stopped the diuretic and the pain stopped. I was persuaded to try the diuretic again and it had the same effect.

       

  • oldbuzzard
    oldbuzzard steve07664

    Posted

    This is a bit extreme, but I would get a new urologist. First, Avodart takes 6 months to work - so by taking it for 3, you're risking all of the potential side effects with no chance of any symptomatic relief. All of the side effects described are real and possible, including one that hasn't been - in about 5% of the people with side effects, they never completely reverse.

    Rezum has a very high probability of working on a 71G prostate - assuming that's your main problem. The random nature and high variability suggest that there may be other issues at work, as prostates don't change size in the short term. Have you had a urodynamics work up done? If not, don't take any drugs or do any procedure until you do. If your bladder is OK, chances are very good that if you had REzum done now, by the end of the three months your URO wanted you to take Avodart, you'd be peeing normally and all of this would be behind you.

    Your urologist should know at least as much about drugs, how long they take to work, risk reward, ect as I do, as I'm not a doctor. IMO, you should find another one.

    • steve07664
      steve07664 oldbuzzard

      Posted

      Well, I'm already on urologist #4.  And one of those is recognized as one of the leading urologists in the world, with over 250 published papers and thousands of procedures performed.  He's been a lead researcher on probably half of the newer procedures discussed in this forum. But I'm lucky to get all of 10 minutes face time with him during an appointment.

      And of those 4 urologists, I've received 4 totally different opinions on what to do for treatment.  Yet they all have me feeling like I'm racing the clock, that once my prostate gets over 80 grams, I'll be limited to the worst of the procedures, like TURP.  

      The one prescribing the Avodart says that my prostate should shrink 25% in 3 months, then I can stop taking it and be in better shape for Rezum.  

      None of the 4 urologists has even mentioned urodynamics.  None has done a cystoscopy, although one now wants to do it.

      I am currently taking 5mg Cialis daily, which has helped.  It took me from 3-4 bad days per week, to only one, on average, with no side effects.  But NONE of them have focused on the random nature and high variability of my symptoms.  I try to talk to them about it all the time, figuring there MUST be a reason for this, and must have some diagnostic value in determining what's wrong with me.  I can wake up one morning and p**s like a fire hose, and the next morning barely get a few drops per minute, despite a massive urge to go.

      I was pretty much on board with the 3-month Avodart then Rezum plan, until I started researching the side effects. Then I thought I'd be better off waiting for aquablation, hopefully available this year.  Then I saw the side effects detail in their latest study, so that got me back to the Rezum plan.  Honestly it seems like there's just no consensus in this entire field of urology on how to treat men with this condition.

    • oldbuzzard
      oldbuzzard steve07664

      Posted

      FYI:

      "How long to take it?

      PROSCAR shrinks the prostate gland slowly. Therefore, you may need to take PROSCAR for 6 months or longer to see whether it helps you."

      From News/Medical/Life Sciences

       

    • derek76
      derek76 steve07664

      Posted

      As a UK ex patient with two successful lasers procures (one in 2004 and the other in 2013 ) I don't  understand your fears. Have you read the recent posts from Breeze on his recent HoLep procedure.

      In America you seem to see independent urologists in their 'office' In the UK we mainly see a urologist in  hospital where after an initial consultation other tests would be carried out. We are mainly now coming to the stage where they have a one stop system with the consultation and all tests are carried out on the same day.

       

    • breeze61
      breeze61 steve07664

      Posted

      I agree wth your puzzlement about the  randonly ones systems can be. But the common denominator for most symptoms is simply the enlarging prostate blocking ones bloody pee tube.

      The answer is finding the best long term, with the least side effects to free this tube.

      I wonder why the boffins couldn't put a flexible plastic tube through the prostate but I suppose it 

      would be a problem making it work with the spincter muscle.

  • oldbuzzard
    oldbuzzard steve07664

    Posted

    It sounds like you have 4 bad urologists. I don't care how many studies someone has authored, if he's willing to do a procedure on you with no diagnostics, he's committing malpractice. You don't even know for sure how much your urethra is impeded because no one has bothered to measure it. The random nature of your symptoms suggest that at least something else is at work besides the size of your prostate.

    IMO, you're in no immediate danger and I wouldn't let anyone do anything to me without proper testing to confirm the problem and that the planned solution is likely to solve the problem based on those tests. If this guy is so smart, why doesn't he know that they'rem doing Rezum on prostates much larger than 80 with good success. A forum contributor called jerseyuro has confirmed it on the main Rezum thread, as has my uro. Where do you live? You should find uro #5 IMO

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