Dutaheal 0.5mg (Dutasteride Tablets 0.5mg) x 10 Tabs
1. What kind of drug is dutasteride?
Dutasteride is a type of drug used to treat AGA (androgenetic alopecia) and prostate hyperplasia.
Dutasteride is classified as a 5α-reductase inhibitor, the same as finasteride, a well-known AGA treatment.
It is said that there is no difference in the basic pharmacological action, so it is best to consult with your doctor before choosing which drug to use.
2. Differences between dutasteride and finasteride
Checkpoints for the differences between dutasteride and finasteride
The main differences between dutasteride and finasteride are the “5α-reductase that it inhibits” and the “half-life in the blood.”
There are two types of 5α-reductase: type I and type II. Dutasteride acts on both, but finasteride only acts on type II.
The half-life in the blood indicates the time it takes for the blood concentration of a drug ingredient to be halved. Dutasteride has a long half-life of about 4 weeks, while finasteride has a half-life of about 6 to 8 hours.
You can see that dutasteride stays in the body longer.
3. Effects of dutasteride
5α-reductase converts testosterone (male hormone) into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), and it is thought that an increase in DHT leads to hair loss and prostate enlargement.
Dutasteride has the effect of inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT.
Like finasteride, dutasteride has the effect of inhibiting the production of DHT, reducing hair loss, and normalizing the hair cycle to stop the progression of AGA.
4. Dutasteride stays in the body longer
The half-life in the blood of dutasteride and finasteride is significantly different, with dutasteride staying in the body for a longer period of time to exert its effect.
Specifically, finasteride has a half-life in the blood of about 6-8 hours, while dutasteride has a very long half-life of about 4 weeks.
Taking advantage of this characteristic, there are many opinions on the Internet that claim that “taking dutasteride once every few days will have an effect on AGA treatment.” This may make sense considering the half-life, but since this method lacks medical evidence, it is not recommended to take it at your own discretion.
5. Side effects of dutasteride
It is safe to assume that the side effects of dutasteride are almost the same as those of finasteride.
However, sexual dysfunction seems to be slightly more frequent than with finasteride.
・Sexual dysfunction
These include decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased sperm count, and male infertility.
If you have a partner, we recommend that you consult with them before starting to take the drug.
・Liver dysfunction
These include high levels of AST, ALT, and γGTP, which are indicators of the degree of liver dysfunction.
Have regular blood tests to check for abnormalities in liver function.
・Initial hair loss
Even after starting treatment, the amount of hair loss may increase.
Please rest assured that initial hair loss is a phenomenon caused by the action of dutasteride.
In most cases, it will subside within about three months of taking the drug.
・Mood depression
In rare cases, symptoms of depression may occur due to an imbalance in male hormones.
・Breast tenderness/enlargement
In rare cases, you may feel pain in the breasts.
In addition, dutasteride has the property of halving PSA, a type of tumor marker, so if you are going to have a prostate cancer checkup, be sure to declare that you are taking it.
6. How to take dutasteride
Checkpoints for taking dutasteride
Take one tablet once a day at the same time.
