Dutasteride’s initial use was to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. It is also prescribed off label as a treatment for hair loss in men, and less commonly as a hair loss treatment for women.¹

Dutasteride works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT, a hormone responsible for hair loss. By inhibiting DHT, dutasteride promotes hair growth for those suffering from male or female pattern baldness.²

It should be taken once per day at the same time each day. It may be taken with or without food.³

Some patients may start seeing results in three to six months, with most patients seeing results after six to 12 months of consistent use.^4,5

RedBox Rx prescribes 0.5 mg capsules of dutasteride for men’s hair loss treatment. Our U.S. licensed medical providers can help determine the right dosing of dutasteride if prescribed. Start an online consult for hair loss to discuss your options.

It can be taken at any time of day. Whichever time you choose, take it at the same time each day.⁶

Dutasteride is a more potent DHT blocker and hair loss treatment than finasteride, but dutasteride does come with additional side effects, including sexual dysfunction and depression.⁷

No, dutasteride and finasteride both belong to a category of drugs known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and should not be taken together.⁸

Dutasteride is a hormonal medication that stops hair loss at the root by blocking DHT, while minoxidil stimulates blood flow and provides growth factors directly to hair follicles. Studies have shown dutasteride to be a more effective treatment for hair loss, but it also carries a higher risk of side effects.⁹

Yes. Dutasteride and minoxidil treat hair loss differently and can be used together for a more effective treatment.¹⁰

For men’s hair loss treatment, dutasteride is $75 for a 90-day supply, $150 for a 180-day supply, or $265 for a 365-day supply from RedBox Rx. No insurance required and no membership fees. We are able to offer low prices because we purchase dutasteride directly from manufacturers and ship from our pharmacy in Iowa.

Our online consultation for hair loss is free.

Dutasteride requires a prescription and is not available over the counter. Start a consult with RedBox Rx today.

In some cases, dutasteride can be used to treat female pattern baldness.¹¹ However, RedBox Rx does not prescribe dutasteride for women, and the medication can cause birth defects in male fetuses.¹²

Before taking dutasteride:¹³

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any other drugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking dutasteride. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• The following nonprescription product may interact with dutasteride: cimetidine. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking this medication before you start taking dutasteride. Do not start this medication while taking dutasteride without discussing with your healthcare provider.

• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease or prostate cancer.

• You should know that dutasteride is for use only in men. Women, especially those who are or may become pregnant, should not handle dutasteride capsules. Touching the contents of the capsules may harm the fetus. If a woman who is pregnant or who could become pregnant accidentally touches leaking capsules, she should wash the area with soap and water immediately and call her doctor.

• You should know that you should not donate blood while you are taking dutasteride and for six months after you stop taking this medication.

Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking dutasteride may increase your risk of side effects.¹⁴

If you remember the missed dose that same day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses in one day or take a double dose to make up for a missed one.¹⁵

Dutasteride may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• Inability to have or maintain an erection

• Decrease in sex drive

• Problems with ejaculation

Some side effects may be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical help:

• Changes in the breasts such as increased size, lumps, pain or nipple discharge

• Swelling of the face, tongue or throat

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

• Peeling skin

Taking dutasteride may increase the risk that you will develop high-grade prostate cancer (a type of prostate cancer that spreads and grows more quickly than other types of prostate cancer). Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking dutasteride.

Dutasteride may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).¹⁶

Dutasteride has a relatively long half-life of five weeks in humans, meaning it takes at least five to six months to clear from your system once you stop taking it.¹⁷

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Dutasteride capsules that are stored at high temperatures may become deformed or discolored. Dispose of any capsules that are deformed, discolored or leaky.

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website at https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children, as many containers are not child resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location, out of their sight and reach. Learn more at https://www.upandaway.org.¹⁸

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.¹⁹

The effects of dutasteride only last while you are taking the medication and it is in your system.²⁰ Once you stop taking the medication, your hair loss may return.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your body's response to dutasteride.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking dutasteride.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.²¹

Dutasteride is the generic version of brand names Avodart® and Jalyn® (dutasteride + tamsulosin combination).²²

We also prescribe the following medications for men’s hair loss:

• Finasteride (Generic Propecia®) for men

• Minoxidil foam for men & women

• Minoxidil tablet for men & women

1. Healthline

2. American Hair Loss Association

3. MedlinePlus

4. National Library of Medicine

5. National Library of Medicine

6. MedlinePlus

7. American Hair Loss Association

8. Drugs.com

9. National Library of Medicine

10. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute

11. American Hair Loss Association

12. Mayo Clinic

13. MedlinePlus

14. WebMD

15. MedlinePlus

16. MedlinePlus

17. National Library of Medicine

18. MedlinePlus

19. MedlinePlus

20. Mayo Clinic

21. MedlinePlus

22. MedlinePlus