Dutasteride (Avodart)

Buy Dutasteride Tablets Online UK

You can request to buy Dutasteride online from our UK registered online pharmacy and Doctor service. Simply fill out an assessment form, so we can see if the treatment is suitable for you. After completing your order, our UK trained doctors will review and see if Dutasteride (Avodart) is suitable for you. If approved, a prescription will be issued to our pharmacy team, who will dispense and dispatch your order.

What is Dutasteride?

Initially, Dutasteride (Avodart) was used to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) commonly known as enlarged prostate. However, after showing promising results for the treatment of male pattern baldness, it is now routinely prescribed for this condition as well. Dutasteride (Avodart) is therefore an effective drug used to treat male pattern baldness.

As Dutasteride (Avodart) is only licensed for use for the treatment of BPH, our doctors prescribe this medication for 'off-label' use. 'Off-label' means the medicine is being used in a way that is different to how it's described in the medical licence of the product. You can read more information here. We would recommend that the licensed product Finasteride (Propecia) is tried first before using an off-label medication such as Dutasteride for hair loss.

Avodart is the branded version of Dutasteride. As GSK (the manufacturers of Avodart) have lost their patent, other companies are now able to produce generic versions of this drug and sell them at a lower price.  This is the reason why Avodart is more expensive than Dutasteride. There is clinically  no difference between Avodart and Dutasteride; they both contain the same active ingredient. 

Dutasteride (Avodart) is similar to Finasteride (Propecia); both dutasteride and finasteride work in a similar way, but some studies have shown that Dutasteride (Avodart) may be more effective in preventing hair loss.  You can read more about this below.

Dutasteride Summary

Dutasteride Prices

How Does Dutasteride Work?

When testosterone is produced in your body, it is used for many purposes. Testosterone is a male sex hormone. In some cases, it will be converted into a hormone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. This compound has many uses in the body but has unfortunate side effects as well. 

When hair follicles are exposed to DHT, they shrink, getting less blood flow. This means they won’t produce as much hair, and eventually they will fall into a sort of stasis; after so long without proper blood flow, they will start to die off.

Dutasteride (Avodart) works by preventing testosterone from being converted to DHT, in turn improving blood flow which allows the hair follicles to regain their normal size. 

In some cases, Dutasteride (Avodart) can reactivate hair follicles which have been in stasis, but haven’t yet died off; this can look like hair regrowth, but Dutasteride (Avodart) cannot revive dead follicles. You are most likely to notice these follicles reawakening in the first 3 to 6 months of treatment - after that, the treatment will help you keep the hair you have.

Dutasteride (Avodart) is similar to Finasteride (Propecia); both block the conversion of testosterone to DHT.  Dutasteride (Avodart) is clinically shown to be up to 20% more effective at doing this (see study here). Although they have the same mode of action, some studies have shown that Dutasteride (Avodart) may be more effective at preventing hair loss than Finasteride (Propecia). One study showed that 86% of men with an M-shaped hairline reported improvement after 36 months of treatment with Dutasteride (Avodart), compared to 45% of men taking Finasteride (Propecia).

Dutasteride Dosage

The dose of Dutasteride (Avodart) for hair loss is one 0.5mg tablet daily. It can be taken with or without food and be taken at any time of the day. We would recommend taking the tablets around the same time every day for the best results. 

If you forget to take a tablet, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time. Consult your doctor if you take too many Dutasteride (Avodart) capsules.

Results are normally seen within 3 to 6 months of starting your daily dosage, with the most noticeable results at 12 months and beyond

Dutasteride Warnings & Contraindications

Dutasteride may not be suitable for all patients. Do not take this medication if you;

• Are allergic to Dutasteride (Avodart), including other 5-alpha reductase inhibitors or any of the listed ingredients
• Have severe liver disease
• Are under the age of 18

This medication is for men only. Do not take it if you are a woman or under the age of 18. Talk to your doctor before taking this medication if your partner is pregnant, breastfeeding or plans to become pregnant. 

Dutasteride (Avodart) can be absorbed through the skin; pregnant women, children  and adolescents should avoid handling leaking or damaged capsules.

Speak to your doctor before using this medication. In particular, take care if you are;

• Undergoing hormone treatments, such as gender transition (this medication acts upon testosterone, meaning it can affect your hormone levels)
• Being screened for prostate cancer/Prostate-Specific Antigen, or experiencing any benign prostate issues
• Experiencing fertility issues
• If your partner is pregnant or trying to conceive

Dutasteride (Avodart) has been found in the semen of men who take it. If your partner is pregnant or trying to get pregnant, you should avoid exposing them to your semen while you take this medication. Dutasteride (Avodart) can affect the normal development of a male baby - this is a particular risk in the first 16 weeks of pregnancy. Always use a condom during intercourse while using this treatment.

As this medication can only be used in men, you cannot donate blood while taking this medication and until 6 months after stopping this medication. 

In a clinical study of men at increased risk of prostate cancer, men taking Dutasteride (Avodart) had serious forms of prostate cancer more often than men who did not take Dutasteride (Avodart). The effect of Dutasteride (Avodart) on this serious form of prostate cancer is not clear.

Speak to your doctor before taking Dutasteride (Avodart) if you are taking any other medications. In particular, the following medications may interact with Dutasteride (Avodart), and make you more likely to experience side effects.

• Verapamil or diltiazem (to treat high blood pressure)
• Ritonavir or indinavir (to treat HIV)
• Itraconazole or ketoconazole (to treat fungal infections)
• Nefazodone (to treat depression)
• Alpha-blockers (for enlarged prostate, or high blood pressure)

Please read the Patient Information Leaflet for a full list of warnings, drug interactions and contraindications.

Dutasteride Side Effects

As with any prescription drug, Dutasteride (Avodart) may cause side effects in some patients. 

1 in 10 patients may experience the common side effects of Dutasteride, including;

• Erectile dysfunction (ED)
• Decreased libido (sex drive)
• Difficulty with ejaculation, such as a decrease in the amount of semen released during sex
• Breast enlargement or tenderness (gynecomastia)

Uncommon side effects (affecting 1 in 100 patients) can include;

• heart failure (symptoms include shortness of breath, extreme tiredness and swelling in your ankles and legs)
• hair loss (usually from the body) or hair growth

Some patients may experience an allergic reaction from this medication. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking the treatment immediately and seek urgent medical assistance;

• Skin reactions, such as hives or a rash
• Swelling of the eyelids, arms, legs, lips or face

You cannot donate blood while taking this and until 6 months after stopping this medication.

For a full list of possible adverse effects, please read the Patient Information Leaflet.

Alternatives to Dutasteride

Dutasteride (Avodart) and Finasteride (Propecia) are similar medications - both prevent your body from converting testosterone to DHT. Some studies suggest that Dutasteride (Avodart) may be more effective at treating hair loss than Finasteride (Propecia), but both are available from our online doctor. Finasteride is also available in branded form as Propecia; both Finasteride and Propecia use the same active ingredient, Finasteride. 

Please note, you cannot take Finasteride and Dutasteride at the same time.

If you are concerned with the side effects of Dutasteride (Avodart), or simply want to try something else, Regaine Extra Strength is a topical treatment that has been shown to be successful in treating hair loss in men. While not as effective as Dutasteride (Avodart), it does provide an alternative for men wishing to try something else.

Regaine contains minoxidil 5% and is available as foam or lotion. It is applied twice daily to the scalp. When taking Dutasteride (Avodart) or Regaine, you must continue to use them to prevent the reversal of their effects. 

Regaine and Dutasteride (Avodart) can be used together. Regaine is also often recommended to patients who have undergone hair transplant procedures to help improve the rate of growth of hair.

Written by Qualified Experts

All of our medication and condition content is written by UK qualified pharmacists and doctors.

Authored: 19/03/2023

Karim Nassar

GPhC Reg: 2064752

Pharmacist

MPharm | Strathclyde University

Reviewed: 20/03/2025

Abdal Alvi

GPhC Reg: 2059572

Clinical Director

MPharm | Strathclyde University