About Tamsulosin + Dutasteride 0.4 mg/0.5 mg Capsule
Tamsulosin + Dutasteride 0.4 mg/0.5 mg Capsule contains Tamsulosin 0.4 mg + Dutasteride 0.5 mg. This combination is used in men with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Tamsulosin relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck so urine flows more easily, and dutasteride slowly shrinks the prostate. Together they ease urinary symptoms and lower the chance of sudden inability to pass urine. It is for men only.
Uses of Tamsulosin + Dutasteride 0.4 mg/0.5 mg Capsule
- Moderate to severe urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
Benefits
In enlarged prostate
Tamsulosin can improve urine flow within days to weeks. Dutasteride works slowly over months to shrink the prostate, which lowers the risk of being suddenly unable to pass urine and of needing surgery.
Side effects
Sexual side effects may improve over time, but some may continue. Talk to your doctor if they bother you.
Common
- Problems with ejaculation, such as less semen
- Reduced sex drive
- Difficulty getting or keeping an erection
- Breast tenderness or enlargement
- Dizziness, especially when standing up
Get medical help if you notice
- Fainting or severe dizziness on standing — sit or lie down and contact your doctor
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
- Breast lumps, pain or nipple discharge — contact your doctor
- A painful erection lasting more than four hours — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, once a day about 30 minutes after the same meal each day. Swallow the capsule whole with water. Do not chew or open it, as the contents can irritate the mouth and throat.
How it works
Tamsulosin blocks alpha-1 receptors in the prostate and bladder neck, relaxing the muscle so urine flows more easily. Dutasteride blocks the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which lowers the hormone DHT that makes the prostate grow.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
Alcohol can add to dizziness and low blood pressure. Limit it.
Pregnancy Unsafe
This medicine is for men only. Women who are or may be pregnant must not handle leaking or broken capsules, because dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin and may harm a male baby.
Breastfeeding Unsafe
This medicine is for men only and must not be used by women.
Driving Caution
It can cause dizziness. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
Kidney Caution
Tell your doctor if you have severe kidney disease, as it has not been well studied.
Liver Caution
Use with caution in liver disease. It should not be used in severe liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember the same day. If you remember the next day, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Take it 30 minutes after the same meal every day.
- Stand up slowly to avoid dizziness.
- Tell your eye surgeon you take it before cataract or glaucoma surgery.
- Do not donate blood while taking it and for at least 6 months after stopping.
- It lowers PSA blood test results — tell your doctor you take it before a PSA test.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Sulfonamide derivative (tamsulosin); 4-azasteroid (dutasteride)
- Therapeutic class
- Urology
- Action class
- Alpha-1 blocker + 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Other alpha-blockers such as prazosin or doxazosin | Can lower blood pressure too much |
| Ketoconazole, ritonavir and other strong enzyme blockers | Raise the levels of both medicines |
| Sildenafil, tadalafil and other erection medicines | May lower blood pressure and cause dizziness |
| Blood pressure medicines | May add to dizziness or low blood pressure |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Dutasteride and tamsulosin prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); Dutasteride/tamsulosin Summary of Product Characteristics (EMC)). Pharmacist review pending.