Dutasteride: uses, appearance and warnings

Dutasteride is a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate to: ( 1.1 ) improve symptoms, reduce the risk of acute urinary retention, and reduce the risk of the need for BPH-related surgery. Dutasteride in combination with the alpha-adrenergic antagonist, tamsulosin, is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic BPH in men with an enlarged prostate. ( 1.2 ) Limitations of Use: Dutasteride is not approved for the prevention of prostate cancer. ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Monotherapy Dutasteride capsules are indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate to: improve symptoms, reduce the risk of acute urinary retention (AUR), and reduce the risk of the need for BPH-related surgery. 1.2 Combination with Alpha-adrenergic Antagonist Dutasteride in combination with the alpha-adrenergic antagonist, tamsulosin, is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic BPH in men with an enlarged prostate. 1.3 Limitations of Use Dutasteride is not approved for the prevention of prostate cancer.

0.5-mg, yellow to pale yellow colored oblong shaped soft gelatin capsules containing clear oily liquid imprinted with '0.5' in red ink. 0.5-mg soft gelatin capsules (3)

Dutasteride capsules are yellow to pale yellow colored oblong shaped soft gelatin capsules containing clear oily liquid imprinted with '0.5' in red ink, packaged in bottles of 30 (NDC 64380-763-04) and 90 (NDC 64380-763-05) with child-resistant closures. Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Dutasteride is absorbed through the skin. Dutasteride capsules should not be handled by women who are pregnant or who could become pregnant because of the potential for absorption of dutasteride and the subsequent potential risk to a developing male fetus [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )].

Pregnancy. Dutasteride use is contraindicated in women who are pregnant. (4, 5.4, 8.1) Patients with previously demonstrated, clinically significant hypersensitivity (e.g., serious skin reactions, angioedema) to dutasteride capsules or other 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors. (4) Dutasteride is contraindicated for use in: Pregnancy. Dutasteride use is contraindicated in women who are pregnant. In animal reproduction and developmental toxicity studies, dutasteride inhibited development of male fetus external genitalia. Therefore, dutasteride may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4), Use in Specific Populations (8.1)] . Patients with previously demonstrated, clinically significant hypersensitivity (e.g., serious skin reactions, angioedema) to dutasteride or other 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors [see Adverse Reactions (6.2)] .

Dutasteride reduces serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentration by approximately 50%. However, any confirmed increase in PSA while on dutasteride capsules may signal the presence of prostate cancer and should be evaluated, even if those values are still within the normal range for untreated men. ( 5.1 ) Dutasteride may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer. ( 5.2 , 6.1 ) Prior to initiating treatment with dutasteride capsules, consideration should be given to other urological conditions that may cause similar symptoms. ( 5.3 ) Women who are pregnant or may be pregnant should not handle dutasteride capsules due to potential risk to a male fetus. ( 5.4 , 8.1 ) Patients should not donate blood until 6 months after their last dose of dutasteride. ( 5.5 ) 5.1 Effects on Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and the Use of PSA in Prostate Cancer Detection In clinical trials, dutasteride reduced serum PSA concentration by approximately 50% within 3 to 6 months of treatment. This decrease was predictable over the entire range of PSA values in subjects with symptomatic BPH, although it may vary in individuals. Dutasteride may also cause decreases in serum PSA in the presence of prostate cancer. To interpret serial PSAs in men taking dutasteride, a new PSA baseline should be established at least 3 months after starting treatment and PSA monitored periodically thereafter. Any confirmed increase from the lowest PSA value while on dutasteride may signal the presence of prostate cancer and should be evaluated, even if PSA levels are still within the normal range for men not taking a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor. Noncompliance with dutasteride may also affect PSA test results. To interpret an isolated PSA value in a man treated with dutasteride for 3 months or more, the PSA value should be doubled for comparison with normal values in untreated men. The free-to-total PSA ratio (percent free PSA) remains constant, even under the influence of dutasteride. If clinicians elect to use percent free PSA as an aid in the detection of prostate cancer in men receiving dutasteride, no adjustment to its value appears necessary. Coadministration of dutasteride and tamsulosin resulted in similar changes to serum PSA as dutasteride monotherapy. 5.2 Increased Risk of High-grade Prostate Cancer In men aged 50 to 75 years with a prior negative biopsy for prostate cancer and a baseline PSA between 2.5 ng/mL and 10.0 ng/mL taking dutasteride in the 4-year Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events (REDUCE) trial, there was an increased incidence of Gleason score 8 to 10 prostate cancer compared with men taking placebo (dutasteride 1.0% versus placebo 0.5%) [see Indications and Usage ( 1.3 ), Adverse Reactions ( 6.1 )] . In a 7-year placebo-controlled clinical trial with another 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (finasteride 5 mg, PROSCAR), similar results for Gleason score 8-10 prostate cancer were observed (finasteride 1.8% versus placebo 1.1%). 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors may increase the risk of development of high-grade prostate cancer. Whether the effect of 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors to reduce prostate volume or trial-related factors impacted the results of these trials has not been established. 5.3 Evaluation for Other Urological Diseases Prior to initiating treatment with dutasteride capsules, consideration should be given to other urological conditions that may cause similar symptoms. In addition, BPH and prostate cancer may coexist. 5.4 Transdermal Exposure of Dutasteride Capsules in Pregnant Women-Risk to Male Fetus Dutasteride capsules should not be handled by women who are pregnant or may be pregnant. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin and could result in unintended fetal exposure and potential risk to a male fetus. If a pregnant woman comes in contact with leaking dutasteride capsules, the contact area should be washed immediately with soap and water [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)] . Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin based on animal studies [see Nonclinical Toxicology (13.2)] . 5.5 Blood Donation Men being treated with dutasteride should not donate blood until at least 6 months have passed following their last dose. The purpose of this deferred period is to prevent administration of dutasteride to a pregnant female transfusion recipient. 5.6 Effect on Semen Characteristics The effects of dutasteride 0.5 mg/day on semen characteristics were evaluated in healthy men throughout 52 weeks of treatment and 24 weeks of post-treatment follow-up. At 52 weeks, compared with placebo, dutasteride treatment resulted in mean reduction in total sperm count, semen volume, and sperm motility; the effects on total sperm count were not reversible after 24 weeks of follow-up. Sperm concentration and sperm morphology were unaffected and mean values for all semen parameters remained within the normal range at all timepoints. The clinical significance of the effect of dutasteride on semen characteristics for an individual patient's fertility is not known [see Use in Specific Populations (8.3)] .

The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥1% of subjects treated with dutasteride and more commonly than in subjects treated with placebo, are impotence, decreased libido, ejaculation disorders, and breast disorders. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Strides Pharma, Inc. at 1-877-244-9825 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trial of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. …

Use with caution in patients taking potent, chronic cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 enzyme inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir). ( 7 ) 7.1 Cytochrome P450 3A Inhibitors Dutasteride is extensively metabolized in humans by the cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 and CYP3A5 isoenzymes. The effect of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors on dutasteride has not been studied. Because of the potential for drug-drug interactions, use caution when prescribing dutasteride capsules to patients taking potent, chronic CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 7.2 Alpha-adrenergic Antagonists The administration of dutasteride in combination with tamsulosin or terazosin has no effect on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of either alpha-adrenergic antagonist. The effect of administration of tamsulosin or terazosin on dutasteride pharmacokinetic parameters has not been evaluated. …