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Medically Approved

Dutasteride oral capsule dosage: A detailed guide

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Form and strengthDosageFAQHow it’s takenCouponOverdoseAsk your doctor
Doctors prescribe dutasteride oral capsule for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in males with an enlarged prostate. You take it by mouth once per day.
Medically reviewed by Audrey Amos, PharmD
Updated on

This article describes dutasteride oral capsule’s dosage and strength and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for dutasteride. If you want to know more about dutasteride oral capsule, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses and side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Dutasteride oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Avodart.

Note: Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the term “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

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Form and strength of dutasteride

Dutasteride oral capsule comes as follows:

  • Form: oral capsule, which you’ll take by swallowing
  • Strength: 0.5 milligram (mg)

Dosage of dutasteride

This article describes the recommended dosage for dutasteride oral capsule. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of dutasteride oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosage of dutasteride in adults

Doctors prescribe dutasteride oral capsule to treat BPH in males with an enlarged prostate. The typical dosage is outlined below.

  • Dose: 0.5 mg
  • Frequency: once per day

Missed dose of dutasteride

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of dutasteride oral capsule. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of dutasteride oral capsule and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

  • downloading a reminder app on your phone
  • setting an alarm
  • putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about dutasteride oral capsule and its dosage.

When is the best time to take dutasteride, in the morning or at night?

There is no best time to take dutasteride. But it’s best to take the medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a steady level of the drug in your body.

If you have more questions about the best time to take your dutasteride dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does dutasteride have a 1-mg daily dosage?

No, dutasteride does not have a 1-mg daily dosage. If you have questions about available daily dosages of dutasteride, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can dutasteride be used for hair loss? If so, what is the dosage?

Dutasteride is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hair loss. It’s approved to treat BPH in males with an enlarged prostate. However, some studies have shown that dutasteride may be useful for treating hair loss.

In some cases, doctors may prescribe dutasteride off-label to treat hair loss. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

If you have questions about the use of dutasteride for hair loss, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is dutasteride taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe dutasteride oral capsule as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take dutasteride oral capsule, talk with your doctor.

How dutasteride is taken

You’ll swallow dutasteride oral capsule once per day. Dutasteride oral capsule should not be chewed or opened. It can be taken with or without food.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

If it’s hard for you to swallow capsules, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Dutasteride coupon

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Overdose of dutasteride

It’s important that you do not take more dutasteride oral capsule than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

What to do if you take too much dutasteride

If you think you’ve taken too much dutasteride, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosage for dutasteride oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of dutasteride oral capsule without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take dutasteride oral capsule exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • How will I know if the dosage of dutasteride is right for me?
  • Will you change my dosage of dutasteride if I start to have side effects?
  • How long will I need to take dutasteride?
  • What should I do if I miss a dose of dutasteride?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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