Source:

Boston
University Medical Center

Summary:

Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH) with the commonly prescribed Avodart (Dutsteride) may put men at an
increased risk for diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease (NAFLD) and worsening erectile dysfunction, new research
concludes.

Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH) with the commonly prescribed Avodart (Dutsteride) may put men at an
increased risk for diabetes, elevated cholesterol levels, non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease (NAFLD) and worsening erectile dysfunction.

Physicians should be fully aware of these
new findings according to the researchers, and to discuss with their patients
the potential adverse side effects of Avodart on metabolic and sexual function
before prescribing it. The study appears in the journal Hormones Molecular Biology and
Clinical Investigations.

As men age, their prostate enlarges. This
condition often results in urinary retention or other lower urinary tract
symptoms, such as reduced urinary flow which results in waking up several times
at night to urinate. To help improve symptoms, men are often prescribed an
alpha blocker, such as Tamsulosin (Flomax) which relaxes the prostate smooth
muscle and improves urination or other drugs such as Proscar (Finasteride) or
Avodart (Dutsteride) which work by reducing prostate volume thus, improving
urinary function.

“We believe our findings suggest that
Avodart has a negative impact on men’s overall health since it increases blood
sugar and A1C and also increases blood lipids. The increase in blood glucose
and A1C may predispose men to diabetes and the increase in lipids may
predispose them to NAFLD. Most importantly, this agent worsens sexual function
and reduces quality of life,” explained corresponding author Abdulmaged M.
Traish, MBA, PhD, professor of biochemistry and urology at Boston University School
of Medicine (BUSM).

This retrospective study included one group
of men with BPH who were prescribed Avodart and a second group who were
prescribed Tamsulosin (an alpha blocker). Both groups were followed for 36-42
months. Data on blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, total cholesterol, LDL
cholesterol (bad cholesterol), HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), liver
function enzymes were determined at each visit over the entire follow up
period. Participants also completed questionnaires to evaluate quality of life
and the international index of erectile function to assess their sexual
activity. The data for the men in Avodart group was then compared with the men
prescribed Tamsulosin.

The BUSM researchers believe the data from
this study and those reported by others in animal models as well in clinical
studies strongly suggest that Avodart may have serious adverse side effects
that were not obvious several years ago. “In order to reduce the negative
impact on overall health and quality of life, physicians need to discuss with
their patients the potential adverse side effects of taking Avodart,” said
Traish.

Story Source:

Materials provided by Boston University Medical Center. Note: Content may be edited for
style and length.

Journal Reference:

1.    Abdulmaged Traish, Karim Sultan Haider, Gheorghe Doros,
Ahmad Haider. Long-term
dutasteride therapy in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia alters glucose and
lipid profiles and increases severity of erectile dysfunction. Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical
Investigation, 2017; 0 (0) DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2017-0015