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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Dutasteride A Safe Medicine For The Treatment Of An Enlarged Prostate?

doctor, i appreciate a moment of your time. the vets administration has changed my prescription for prostate med from tamsulosin hcl .4mg to dutasteride. 5mg. and before that, alfuzosin. i note that side effects for the new med involve possibly contracting a severe type of prostate cancer, loss of libido, alopecia (hair loss) and a rash. upon changing, i notice a decrease in semen production and occasional inability to ejaculate, and a rash on both arms just below the elbow. to me these are related to the change in meds due to the occurrence just after i made the change. but most seriously, i note with dutasteride the increased probability of contacting a serious incursion of prostate cancer of a dangerous veriety. (to me they re ALL dangerous!) for these reasons i would like to reverse the change and return to tamsulosin or perhaps alfuzosin. Would this be a reasonable request for a change, or do you think it makes little difference which one I take. My psa is .4 and has been that for years. tnks much. ggp
Thu, 22 Feb 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Thanks for your query on HCM

"As"per your clinical history is concerned treatment for BPH depends upon several factors like -

a)The size of your prostate
b)Your age
c)Your overall health
d)The amount of discomfort or bother you are experiencing

So you can take Alpha blockers like [alfuzosin,doxazosin,tamsulosin and silodosin] or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like [finasteride or dutasteride].
Sometimes combined medications are given to control it.so discuss with your Doctor which suits you to control your clinical symptoms.If no medication helps you then talk about minimally invasive surgical treatments.

Do follow lifestyle modifications like this -

1)Try to limit beverages in the evening. Don't drink anything for an hour or two before bedtime to avoid middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet.

2)Limit caffeine and alcohol. They can increase urine production, irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms.

3)Limit decongestants or antihistamines. These drugs tighten the band of muscles around the urethra that control urine flow, making it harder to urinate.

4)Go when you first feel the urge. Waiting too long might overstretch the bladder muscle and cause damage. Schedule bathroom visits. Try to urinate at regular times such as every four to six hours during the day to "retrain" the bladder. This can be especially useful if you have severe frequency and urgency.

5)Try to follow a healthy diet. Obesity is associated with enlarged prostate.
Stay active. Inactivity contributes to urine retention. Even a small amount of exercise can help reduce urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate.

6)Keep warm. Colder temperatures can cause urine retention and increase the urgency to urinate.

Hope that helps

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Is Dutasteride A Safe Medicine For The Treatment Of An Enlarged Prostate?

Hello, Thanks for your query on HCM As per your clinical history is concerned treatment for BPH depends upon several factors like - a)The size of your prostate b)Your age c)Your overall health d)The amount of discomfort or bother you are experiencing So you can take Alpha blockers like [alfuzosin,doxazosin,tamsulosin and silodosin] or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like [finasteride or dutasteride]. Sometimes combined medications are given to control it.so discuss with your Doctor which suits you to control your clinical symptoms.If no medication helps you then talk about minimally invasive surgical treatments. Do follow lifestyle modifications like this - 1)Try to limit beverages in the evening. Don t drink anything for an hour or two before bedtime to avoid middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet. 2)Limit caffeine and alcohol. They can increase urine production, irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms. 3)Limit decongestants or antihistamines. These drugs tighten the band of muscles around the urethra that control urine flow, making it harder to urinate. 4)Go when you first feel the urge. Waiting too long might overstretch the bladder muscle and cause damage. Schedule bathroom visits. Try to urinate at regular times such as every four to six hours during the day to retrain the bladder. This can be especially useful if you have severe frequency and urgency. 5)Try to follow a healthy diet. Obesity is associated with enlarged prostate. Stay active. Inactivity contributes to urine retention. Even a small amount of exercise can help reduce urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. 6)Keep warm. Colder temperatures can cause urine retention and increase the urgency to urinate. Hope that helps