Duagen (dutasteride) Soft Gelatin Capsules
Duagen is for use by men only.
Read this information carefully before you start taking Duagen. Read the information you get with Duagen each time
you refill your prescription. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with
your doctor.
What is Duagen?
Duagen is a medication to treat men who have symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Duagen is not a treatment for prostate cancer. See the end of this leaflet for information about how Duagen
works.
Who should NOT take Duagen?
• Women and children should not take Duagen. A woman who is pregnant or capable of becoming pregnant should
not handle Duagen capsules. See "What are the special warnings for women about Duagen?"
• Do not take Duagen if you have had an allergic reaction to Duagen or any of its ingredients.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems. Duagen may not be right for you.
What are the special warnings for women about Duagen?
• Women should never take Duagen,
• Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not handle Duagen Capsules. If a woman who is pregnant
with a male baby gets enough Duagen into her body after
swallowing it or through her skin after handling it, the male baby may be born with abnormal sex organs.
What are the special precautions about Duagen?
• Men treated with Duagen should not donate blood until at least 6 months after their final dose to prevent
giving Duagen to a pregnant female through a blood transfusion.
How should I take Duagen?
• Take 1 Duagen capsule once a day.
• Swallow the capsule whole.
• You can take Duagen with or without food.
• If you miss a dose, you may take it later that day. Do not make up the missed dose by taking 2 doses the
next day.
• You may find it helpful to take Duagen at the same time every day to help you remember to take your
dose.
What are the possible side effects of Duagen?
The most common side effects of Duagen are impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection), a decrease in
libido (sex drive), and enlarged breasts. Also, some men may notice a decrease in the amount of semen they release
during sex,
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about these and other side effects that you think may be related to
taking Duagen.
How should I store Duagen?
Duagen is a soft gelatin capsule that may become soft and leak or may stick to other capsules if kept at high
temperatures. Store Duagen capsules at room temperature of 77°F (25°C) or lower.
If your capsules are cracked or leaking, don't use them, and contact your pharmacist.
General information about Duagen.
• Do not use Duagen for a condition for which it was not prescribed.
• Do not share your Duagen.
• Ask your doctor about how often you should return for a visit to check your BPH.
• A blood test called PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is sometimes used to detect prostate cancer. Duagen
will reduce the amount of PSA measured in your blood. Your doctor is aware of this effect and can still use PSA to
detect prostate cancer in you.
• If you have questions about Duagen, ask your doctor or pharmacist. They can show you detailed information
about Duagen that was written for healthcare professionals.
How does Duagen work?
Prostate growth is caused by a hormone in the blood called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Duagen lowers DHT production in the body, leading to shrinkage of the enlarged prostate in most men. Just as your
prostate became large over a long period of time, reducing the size of your prostate and improving your symptoms will
take time. While some men have fewer problems and symptoms after 3 months of treatment with Duagen, a treatment
period of at least 6 months is usually necessary to see if Duagen will work for you.
Manufactured by: RP Scherer Beinheim, France for
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
© 2001, GlaxoSmithKline
All rights reserved.
Updated Sep 05, 2003