AVODART warning

As with Proscar (finasteride), new warnings have been released regarding the incidence of high grade prostate cancers in men taking Avodart and the combination drug Jalyn (avodart +flomax). The incidence is 1% with avodart versus placebo of 0.5%. This data was presented in the 4 year REDUCE (reduction by dutasteride of prostate cancer events study). The data for for proscar was slightly higher at 1.8% versus placebo of 1.1%).

Therefore, close monitoring of PSA is important in this group of patients taking Avodart as well as Proscar in those patients who require these medications for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).