Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Silent Killer on October 08, 2012, 10:41:45 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Is Avodart (Dutasteride) dangerous for the liver?
Post by: Silent Killer on October 08, 2012, 10:41:45 PM
Post by: Silent Killer on October 08, 2012, 10:41:45 PM
My new endo prescribed me this and told me it's good, however it's so expensive compared to Proscar and it also says warning can cause problem to liver. Dutasteride is more powerful than Proscar(Finasteride) which blocks only Type 2 where as Avodart (Dutasteride) blocks both DHT Type 1 & Type 2. However, is it worth taking it? Is it THAT dangerous to the liver as says the instruction paper? Did anyone try it? What's the feedback?
Title: Re: Is Avodart (Dutasteride) dangerous for the liver?
Post by: Asfsd4214 on October 09, 2012, 04:36:38 AM
Post by: Asfsd4214 on October 09, 2012, 04:36:38 AM
If you have no history of liver problems... in a word, no, not that established medical science knows of.
In a more complex explanation, it is dangerous only in the sense that it adds a (likely negligible) strain on your liver, but if you have no other risk factors and are otherwise healthy, the risks of complications are very low. Low enough that if you're worried about that you should also be worried about any number of other more common and potentially more serious health risks, e.g. alcohol consumption, being overweight, not eating right, etc.
If you do have a history of liver problems, then there's more reason to be concerned. Dutasteride might have an increased half life as a result and may need to be dose adjusted and may not be worth the risk. But if not, I wouldn't worry.
As for it being better, well as you said, it does inhibit types 1 and 2 of the 5-alpha reductase enzymes, further reducing the production of DHT. How much this translates into physiological differences is very hard to predict.
I would be much less concerned about potential liver damage, and more concerned about other potential side effects of 5AR inhibitors like dutasteride and finasteride, they work by blocking the 5-alpha reductase enzymes (type 1, or 1 and 2), which are enzymes that produce DHT, but that isn't the enzymes only function. The enzyme is also responsible for the synthesis of the neurosteroids Allopregnanolone and Tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone. The reason that is of concern, is it has been reported that in some people the suppression of those neurosteroids can cause mental side effects.
Specifically depression, anxiety, and most seriously, the clouding of consciousness otherwise known as brain or mental fog. Also of concern is reports in some people of such side effects not immediately subsiding after discontinuing the medication. Fatigue is also a risk.
Ultimately these risks are for you and your doctor to go over, if you haven't experienced them before you may well not on dutasteride either. Just something to be aware of.
In a more complex explanation, it is dangerous only in the sense that it adds a (likely negligible) strain on your liver, but if you have no other risk factors and are otherwise healthy, the risks of complications are very low. Low enough that if you're worried about that you should also be worried about any number of other more common and potentially more serious health risks, e.g. alcohol consumption, being overweight, not eating right, etc.
If you do have a history of liver problems, then there's more reason to be concerned. Dutasteride might have an increased half life as a result and may need to be dose adjusted and may not be worth the risk. But if not, I wouldn't worry.
As for it being better, well as you said, it does inhibit types 1 and 2 of the 5-alpha reductase enzymes, further reducing the production of DHT. How much this translates into physiological differences is very hard to predict.
I would be much less concerned about potential liver damage, and more concerned about other potential side effects of 5AR inhibitors like dutasteride and finasteride, they work by blocking the 5-alpha reductase enzymes (type 1, or 1 and 2), which are enzymes that produce DHT, but that isn't the enzymes only function. The enzyme is also responsible for the synthesis of the neurosteroids Allopregnanolone and Tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone. The reason that is of concern, is it has been reported that in some people the suppression of those neurosteroids can cause mental side effects.
Specifically depression, anxiety, and most seriously, the clouding of consciousness otherwise known as brain or mental fog. Also of concern is reports in some people of such side effects not immediately subsiding after discontinuing the medication. Fatigue is also a risk.
Ultimately these risks are for you and your doctor to go over, if you haven't experienced them before you may well not on dutasteride either. Just something to be aware of.