Dutasteride Side Effects: Myths & Truths Explained

Dutasteride is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition causes the prostate gland to become enlarged and leads to issues with the bladder and urination. Dutasteride can also be used off-label in treating baldness.

Although it is prescribed only for hair loss treatment in Japan and South Korea, it has been used to stop hair from falling off because it can easily suppress dihydrotestosterone (DHT) formation. The hormone minimises the size of hair follicles and eventually leads to hair loss. 

Here, we will take a look at some of the most important features of dutasteride as well as potential side effects you should look into. We will also take a look at how Hairy Hair may help you overcome your baldness.

What is the mechanism of action of dutasteride?

Dutasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that prevents testosterone from being converted into DHT. You may be familiar with another DHT blocker known as finasteride. The benefit of dutasteride over finasteride is that dutasteride blocks all three types of isoenzymes that take part in converting testosterone to DHT.

In comparison, finasteride can only block two types of isoenzymes. Dutasteride covers the two most common isoenzymes responsible for hair loss as a result of DHT conversion, while finasteride only covers one.

For this reason, you may be recommended to try dutasteride if you’ve already used finasteride and have not seen any results.

What are the side effects of dutasteride?

There are a few commonly experienced side effects of dutasteride in males. These mostly affect sexual function, including: 

• Erectile dysfunction
• Reduction in sex drive
• problems with ejaculation
• Enlarged breast tissue 

There are some less common side effects of dutasteride that you should be aware of as well. These will manifest if you have a severe allergic reaction to the medication. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• Problems with breathing
• Fast heartbeat
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling around the face 
• Issues swallowing 
• Itching
• Nausea 
• Dizziness
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

In some rare cases, dutasteride can expose you to a more aggressive form of prostate cancer. Finasteride and dutasteride, as DHT blockers, can cause inaccurate results in prostate tests. You must get your prostate examined prior to embarking on the drug and regularly checked in case of family history of prostate cancer.

Both BPH and prostate cancer have the same symptoms, and therefore, it is sometimes hard to distinguish between the two. If you experience any of the following, you should contact a healthcare professional:

• Difficulty urinating 
• Bloody urine or semen
• Pain in your back, hips, or pelvis
• Unexplained weight loss

What should I know about dutasteride before starting the medication?

Dutasteride must only be used if prescribed. It will influence the quality and quantity of your sperm. These may persist after stopping taking the drug and make it unlike other symptoms with sexual function. More studies need to be carried out to check whether these effects can influence your fertility.

No one who is or may become pregnant should handle dutasteride. It penetrates through the skin and may damage an unborn child.

If you are on dutasteride, you cannot donate blood. Do not donate blood until at least 6 months have passed since your last dose. The drug stays in your system for up to 6 months and can harm an unborn baby if the pregnant woman is transfused with the donated blood.

What should I disclose to my doctor before starting dutasteride?

There are a few conditions that may determine if the medication is the right fit for you before starting dutasteride. The medication may interact with any liver problems you have. Tests should be done before beginning the treatment.

There are a few medications that can impact the blood levels of dutasteride, including:

• Cimetidine (heartburn medication)
• Ciprofloxacin (for bacterial infections)
• Ketoconazole (used for fungal infections and also an ingredient in hair loss shampoos)
• Ritonavir (viral infection medication)

How can Hairy Hair help with my hair loss?

Dutasteride is a potent DHT blocker that can effectively block all three types of isoenzymes that cause hair follicles to shrink. It stays in your system longer as it has a longer half-life than finasteride. This can impact the severity with which you experience the side effects compared to finasteride.

For many people, finasteride is a more tolerable DHT blocker that can provide effective results without experiencing negative side effects.

At Hairy Hair, our unique formula contains a powerful combination of ingredients in one single daily pill. Along with working to reduce DHT levels, our pill works to widen blood vessels and increase the flow of blood to the scalp, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach your hair follicles.

Natural ingredients round out our formula to potentially promote the production of keratin, the main component of hair strands and reduce inflammation on the scalp to promote thicker hair growth.

This combination of ingredients works to comprehensively tackle different hair loss issues to give your hair the potential to fight shedding and promote growth.

Conclusion

Dutasteride can be an effective treatment for blocking the production of DHT on the scalp. For some people, dutasteride may be a better treatment choice if finasteride is not providing results. Blocking DHT is only one step in providing your hair with the ideal conditions for hair growth.

If you’re struggling with hair loss and are looking for a convenient and discreet treatment option, contact Hairy Hair. To start your hair regrowth journey, all you need to do is fill in our online form, and an Australian GP will review your information. From there, they’ll create a personalised treatment plan based on your hair loss and give you a call to discuss any questions you might have.

Finally, your prescription will be shipped straight to your door, and no clinic visits are necessary. The best time to tackle hair loss is at the first signs, so start helping to potentially regain your hair and confidence today.