Dutasteride

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Dutasteride
Systematic (IUPAC) name
(5α, 17β)-N-{2,5 bis(trifluoromethyl) phenyl}-3-oxo-4-azaandrost-1-ene-17-carboxamide
Identifiers
CAS number	164656-23-9
ATC code	G04 CB02
PubChem	152945
DrugBank	APRD00385
Chemical data
Formula	C₂₇H₃₀F₆N₂O₂
Mol. weight	528.53 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	60%
Protein binding	99%
Metabolism	Hepatic (CYP3A4-mediated)
Half life	5 weeks
Excretion	Fecal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	X(US) Not to be handled by pregnant women
Legal status	POM(UK) ℞-only(US)
Routes	Oral

Dutasteride (marketed as Avodart®, Avidart®, Avolve®, Duagen®, Dutas®, Dutagen®, Duprost®) is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, a drug which inhibits the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is used to treat conditions caused by DHT, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia.

1 Classification and Method of Action
2 Uses
3 References
4 See also

[edit] Classification and Method of Action

Dutasteride belongs to a class of drugs called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which block the action of the 5-alpha-reductase enzymes that convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Finasteride also belongs to this group. Clinical studies have found dutasteride to be more effective than finasteride, as it inhibits both isoforms of 5-alpha reductase, while finasteride inhibits only one.

[edit] Uses

While dutasteride is officially approved, and most commonly used, to treat enlargement of the prostate gland, it may also be used to treat male pattern baldness. While clinical trials for dutasteride as a hair loss drug were called off in late 2002, it can still be prescribed for "off-label" purposes by physicians, and an increasing number are willing to do so.

The reason the trials were called off is not outwardly known. However, industry sources speculate that Avodart would have been seen as too similar to Propecia to have proved profitable as a hair loss treatment.

[edit] References

Official site
Information on suspended trials for Avodart as a hair loss treatment Accessed 02/09/2006

[edit] See also

Urologicals (G04) edit
Acidifiers:	Ammonium chloride, Calcium chloride
Urinary antispasmodics:	Darifenacin, Emepronium, Flavoxate, Meladrazine, Oxybutynin, Propiverine, Solifenacin, Terodiline, Tolterodine, Trospium
For erectile dysfunction:	Alprostadil, Apomorphine, Moxisylyte, Papaverine, Phentolamine, Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil, Yohimbine
Other urologicals:	Acetohydroxamic acid, Collagen, Dimethyl sulfoxide, Magnesium hydroxide, Phenazopyridine, Phenyl salicylate, Succinimide
For benign prostatic hypertrophy:	5α-reductase inhibitors: Dutasteride, Finasteride Alpha blockers: Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin, Terazosin Herbals: Pygeum africanum, Serenoa repens