Dutasteride and Tamsulosin

What is Dutasteride and Tamsulosin for?

This medication is a combination product containing 2 medications, tamsulosin and dutasteride. It is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition where the prostate gland is enlarged. The prostate sits along the passageway of urine flow, and an increase in size of the prostate blocks the passage of urine out of the body. This leads to urinary symptoms such as a weak or interrupted urine flow, frequent or urgent need to urinate. This medication works by relaxing the muscles of the prostate gland and bladder exit, and shrinking the prostate, to help relieve these urinary symptoms.

How should I take or use Dutasteride and Tamsulosin?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• You may take this medication with or without food.
• This medication should be swallowed whole; do not crush, chew or open the capsule as direct contact with the contents of the capsules may irritate your mouth or throat.
• This medication should not be touched or handled by pregnant women or women who are of childbearing age, and children. The active ingredient of the medication can be absorbed through the skin, thus women should always use extra caution when they are handling the capsule. If a pregnant woman accidentally touches a leaking capsule, she should wash the affected area immediately with soap and water as the medication may affect the growth & development of the unborn child. 

What should I do if I forget to take or use Dutasteride and Tamsulosin?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember if it is not close to the next dose. Otherwise, you should skip the dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses together to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using Dutasteride and Tamsulosin?

• Use a condom during sexual intercourse as your semen could contain the medication. If your partner is or may be pregnant, you must avoid exposing her to your semen as it may affect the normal development of the baby’s sex organs.
• Avoid donating blood during the treatment and for 6 months after you stopped the treatment as there may be a risk that your blood may be given to a pregnant female transfusion recipient.

Inform your healthcare professional if: 

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication, or have a sulfonamide allergy
• You have liver-related medical conditions
• You ever feel dizzy or faint when you stand up, or if you have ever fainted after passing urine
• You are undergoing cataract (cloudiness of the lens) eye surgery. Inform your eye specialist before the operation that you are taking or have previously taken the medication. It is important for the eye specialist to be aware of this as the operation may need to be carried out differently.
• You are taking medications belonging to PDE-5 Inhibitors class such as Sildenafil, Tadalafil or Vardenafil. You may experience dizziness or light-headedness, which may be caused by low blood pressure upon standing up quickly from a lying or sitting position. 

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use Dutasteride and Tamsulosin?

Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase the risk of dizziness, light-headedness or drowsiness. 

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medication, supplements, traditional medications or herbal remedies.

What are some common side effects of Dutasteride and Tamsulosin?

• Dizziness, light-headedness or fainting
  • When taking the medication for the first time or restarting treatment, these side effects may occur. They may also occur when you are standing up quickly from a lying or sitting position.
  • If you are affected by this, you should lie down until you feel better then sit for a few minutes before standing again to prevent these effects from returning.
  • These side effects usually go away and should not return once you have become used to taking your medication.
• Drowsiness
  • May affect your ability to drive and use machinery.
  • Ensure you feel normal before driving or doing tasks that require you to be alert.

The following side effects may disappear after a while if you continue to take the medication. If not, they usually go away after stopping the medication. Discuss with your doctor if you suspect that you are affected or these side effects are bothering you.

• Not able to get or keep an erection
• Decreased libido (sex drive); less desire to have sex
• Difficulty with ejaculation

What are some rare but serious side effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

• The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
  • Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
• Changes in your breast tissue such as lumps, pain, an increase in size or nipple discharge.

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

How should I store Dutasteride and Tamsulosin?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children, pregnant women and women who are of childbearing age.

How do I throw away Dutasteride and Tamsulosin safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.