Dutasteride 0.5 mg Capsules
Dutasteride is a prescription 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor used to treat symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in adult men with an enlarged prostate. Patients can review the displayed Dutasteride price, product information and prescription pathway before submitting a secure pharmacy request.
Sweetwater Medical Center transmits the submitted request through the pharmacy-assignment system; an eligible partner pharmacy validates the prescription, identifies the available finished product and manufacturer, confirms inventory and final price, and remains responsible for dispensing and shipping.
Dutasteride 0.5 mg Product Details

| Medication | Dutasteride |
|---|---|
| Reference brand | Avodart |
| Dosage form | Oral liquid-filled soft gelatin capsule |
| Displayed strength | 0.5 mg |
| Manufacturer | Confirmed by the assigned dispensing pharmacy |
| NDC | Provided for the available finished product |
| FDA status | FDA-approved prescription drug for symptomatic BPH in men with an enlarged prostate |
| Prescription status | Prescription required |
The image is illustrative. The assigned dispensing pharmacy identifies the actual product, manufacturer, capsule appearance, labeling, package and NDC before dispensing.
Estimated Dutasteride Availability and Pricing
| Strength | Package | Estimated price | Per capsule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dutasteride 0.5 mg | 30 capsules | From $15.82 | From $0.53 |
| Dutasteride 0.5 mg | 90 capsules | From $47.46 | From $0.53 |
The final amount may vary according to the prescription, quantity, available manufacturer, insurance status and pharmacy assigned to fulfill the request.
Patients may provide an existing prescription, request an eligible transfer or select a $20 online medical consultation with Cody R. Christensen, DO, where available. A consultation does not guarantee that a prescription will be issued or that dutasteride is appropriate for the patient.
Prescription and account information is handled according to the Sweetwater Medical Center Privacy Statement.
What Dutasteride Is Prescribed For: BPH and Enlarged Prostate Symptoms
Dutasteride blocks type 1 and type 2 forms of 5-alpha-reductase, reducing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. Lower DHT exposure can gradually reduce prostate volume and relieve lower urinary tract symptoms caused by prostate enlargement.
Dutasteride for enlarged prostate symptoms may be prescribed to improve urinary flow and reduce progression risks rather than provide immediate relaxation of the prostate. Its FDA-approved BPH benefits include:
- Improving urinary symptoms over time.
- Reducing the risk of acute urinary retention.
- Reducing the likelihood of BPH-related surgery.
- Supporting combination treatment with tamsulosin when a clinician prescribes both medicines.
Dutasteride does not treat prostate cancer and is not approved to prevent prostate cancer. Urinary hesitancy, weak stream, incomplete emptying and nighttime urination can have causes other than BPH, so an appropriate urological evaluation remains important.
How to Order Dutasteride Online With a Prescription
Patients who want to buy Dutasteride online with a prescription begin by choosing the displayed medication and quantity. To order Dutasteride 0.5 mg online, the patient then provides the location and prescription information required for pharmacy assignment.
Choose the Displayed Dutasteride Option
Select the strength and quantity that correspond to the prescription and expected treatment duration.
Provide Location and Prescription Information
Enter the requested ZIP code and submit an existing Dutasteride prescription, request an eligible transfer or select an available medical consultation.
The System Assigns an Eligible Pharmacy
The order system assigns a partner pharmacy according to the destination, licensing, service coverage, ability to process the request and product availability.
Pharmacy Review, Dispensing and Shipping
The assigned pharmacy validates the prescription, identifies the available finished product, confirms stock and final price, and provides the applicable fulfillment options.
Dutasteride Compared With Avodart and Finasteride
Dutasteride is the active ingredient in Avodart. This page focuses on Dutasteride 0.5 mg capsules used for BPH; product labeling, capsule appearance, inactive ingredients and packaging can differ by manufacturer.
Finasteride and dutasteride are both 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors used in BPH treatment, but they are separate prescription medicines and are not automatically interchangeable. Dutasteride inhibits both type 1 and type 2 5-alpha-reductase, while finasteride primarily inhibits type 2. A prescriber should consider prostate size, symptom burden, previous response, adverse effects, reproductive plans and other medicines before changing treatment.
The assigned pharmacy dispenses the product authorized by the prescription or applies a legally permitted substitution. Patients should not switch between dutasteride, Avodart and finasteride or combine them without prescriber guidance.
Dutasteride 0.5 mg Dosage and Treatment Timeline
The FDA-labeled dose for symptomatic BPH is one 0.5 mg capsule once daily, with or without food. Dutasteride 0.5 mg capsules should be swallowed whole because opening or chewing them can expose the mouth and throat to irritating capsule contents.
Patients may begin noticing symptom improvement after about three months, while full benefit can take six months or longer. The medication should be taken at approximately the same time each day and continued as prescribed even when improvement is gradual.
If a dose is missed and remembered on the same day, it may be taken when remembered. If it is not remembered until the next day, the missed dose should be skipped; patients should not take two doses in one day. Increasing the daily amount does not produce faster BPH relief and should not be attempted without specific medical direction.
Dutasteride Price Without Insurance
The Dutasteride price without insurance depends on the prescribed quantity, available manufacturer and pharmacy assigned to fulfill the request. The displayed amounts are estimates rather than a guaranteed cash price or insurance copay.
Insurance coverage, deductible status and pharmacy pricing can affect the final amount. Patients should compare the total package price only after confirming that the quantity matches the prescription and planned follow-up schedule.
Dutasteride and PSA Monitoring During BPH Treatment
Dutasteride commonly lowers serum prostate-specific antigen concentrations by approximately 50% within three to six months. This change does not mean that prostate cancer is absent, and it must be considered whenever a clinician interprets a PSA result.
Current labeling recommends establishing a new PSA baseline at least three months after treatment begins and monitoring periodically afterward. Any confirmed increase from the lowest PSA value reached during therapy should be evaluated, even when the result remains within the usual range for men who are not taking a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.
Patients should tell every clinician involved in prostate screening that they take dutasteride. Missed doses, inconsistent use or recent discontinuation may affect interpretation and should also be disclosed.
Dutasteride for Hair Loss and Topical Formulations
Oral dutasteride is sometimes prescribed off-label for male androgenetic alopecia because DHT contributes to hair-follicle miniaturization. It is not FDA-approved in the United States for hair loss, so the potential benefits, sexual adverse effects, fertility considerations and approved alternatives require an individual clinical discussion.
Topical dutasteride products are also marketed for scalp use, but there is no standard FDA-approved topical dutasteride dosage form. Formulation, concentration, absorption and quality can differ, and a topical product should not be assumed to eliminate systemic exposure.
A prescription written for oral BPH treatment should not be repurposed for hair loss, and patients should not open oral capsules or apply their contents to the scalp.
Dutasteride Side Effects, Fertility and Breast Changes
The most commonly reported adverse reactions include erectile dysfunction, reduced libido, ejaculation disorders and breast tenderness or enlargement. Dutasteride may also reduce total sperm count, semen volume and sperm movement in some men, although the clinical significance for an individual patient’s fertility is uncertain.
Some sexual adverse effects have been reported after treatment discontinuation, but the role of dutasteride in their persistence is not always clear. Men who are planning a pregnancy or undergoing fertility evaluation should discuss the medication with their clinician before starting or stopping treatment.
New breast lumps, persistent breast pain, nipple discharge, facial or throat swelling, difficulty breathing, widespread hives or peeling skin require prompt medical evaluation. Severe breathing or swallowing difficulty warrants emergency care.
Dutasteride Interactions, Pregnancy Exposure and Handling
Dutasteride is extensively metabolized through CYP3A4 and CYP3A5. Potent, long-term CYP3A inhibitors may increase exposure, so patients should provide the prescriber and pharmacist with a complete list of prescription medicines, nonprescription products and supplements.
Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant must not handle leaking dutasteride capsules because the medicine can be absorbed through the skin and may harm a developing male fetus.
- Do not use dutasteride after a clinically significant allergic reaction to dutasteride or another 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor.
- Tell the prescriber about liver disease because hepatic impairment may increase medication exposure.
- Do not donate blood during treatment or for at least six months after the final dose.
- Store capsules in their original container and avoid damaged, deformed or leaking capsules.
Medical Disclaimer
This page provides general information about dutasteride, BPH treatment, estimated pricing and the partner-pharmacy process. It does not diagnose an enlarged prostate, interpret an individual PSA result or replace an examination, prescription or treatment plan from a qualified healthcare professional.
An online consultation does not guarantee that dutasteride will be prescribed or available. Complete inability to urinate, blood in the urine, fever with urinary symptoms, severe pelvic pain or rapidly worsening urinary obstruction requires prompt medical evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dutasteride
How much does Dutasteride 0.5 mg cost without insurance?
The price table above shows estimated starting amounts for the displayed packages. The assigned pharmacy confirms the final cash price or applicable insurance amount after identifying the available product.
How long does Dutasteride take to work for BPH?
Some urinary symptoms may begin to improve after about three months, but full benefit can take six months or longer. Continue the medication as prescribed unless the clinician changes the treatment plan.
Does Dutasteride lower PSA test results?
Yes. Dutasteride can lower PSA by approximately 50% within three to six months, so clinicians need to account for treatment when interpreting results and evaluate any confirmed rise from the lowest value reached.
Is Dutasteride FDA approved for hair loss?
No. Oral dutasteride is FDA-approved for symptomatic BPH, not hair loss, although a clinician may consider off-label use after reviewing benefits, risks and alternatives.
Can I buy Dutasteride online without a prescription?
No. Dutasteride requires a valid prescription before it can be dispensed by a licensed pharmacy in the United States. An online consultation may be available, but it does not guarantee that a prescription will be issued.
Related Dutasteride, PSA and BPH Information
These Sweetwater Medical Center resources provide additional background on dutasteride safety, preventive monitoring and age-based cancer screening.
Medical References
Pharmacist Review of Dutasteride Information
The medication information on this page, including dutasteride’s BPH indication, dosage, prescription requirement, PSA effects, contraindications, interactions, common adverse effects and urgent safety warnings, was reviewed by Veronica K. Donaldson, PharmD, Pharmacist — Wyoming Pharmacist License 2669; NPI 1003968520.
This pharmacist review applies to the published medication information and does not approve an individual prescription or order. The pharmacy assigned during the order process remains responsible for validating the prescription, identifying the available product, confirming inventory and final price, and dispensing and shipping the medication.
Last pharmacist review: 08.06.2026
