Performance-enhancing drugs are no longer just for bodybuilders or pro athletes who are willing to try illegal and potentially dangerous means to improve their body's function. These drugs are being used every day by people of all ages, from middle-school, high-school and college students to older recreational athletes.
Dutasteride (Avodart) is a dual 5-a reductase inhibitor that inhibits conversion of testosterone to DHT. It was developed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is the enlargement of the prostate. Bodybuilders have used this compound to protect themselves from hair loss.
The difference between Dutasteride and Finasteride, is in the name. Dutasteride (dual-tasteride) works on both of the 5a-reductase enzymes, while Finasteride works on just one. Dutasteride has greater efficacy because of this, and it is more powerful at a lower dose. Treating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlargement of the prostate gland. It also helps to reduce the risk of urinary blockage and the need for surgery to treat BPH. It may be used alone or along with another medicine (Tamsulosin).
Dutasteride works by blocking the conversion of the hormone testosterone to the more potent hormone dihydro testosterone. It does this by blocking an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. Dihydrotestosterone is partly responsible for making the prostate enlarge. Therefore, a reduced amount of dihydro-testosterone in the prostate causes it to shrink. This helps you to pass urine more easily.
Sometimes, more than one type of medicine is needed to control the symptoms of prostate enlargement. Dutasteride is available in combination with another medicine for prostate enlargement, called Tamsulosin. The combination brand is called Combodart and it may give quicker and better relief of symptoms than either medicine alone.
To understand how Dutasteride works we must first learn about DHT. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a sex steroid and androgen hormone. The enzyme 5a-reductase synthesizes DHT in the testes, hair follicles, adrenal glands, and prostate. Reductase inhibitors work by blocking the action of the enzymes that convert testosterone to DHT. This is why they work so well for protecting/re-growing head hair and helping with BPH. Dutasteride stacked with Finasteride can lower DHT in the body up to 95%.
When bodybuilders use anabolic-androgenic steroids, it can speed up head hair loss. This is due to increased testosterone hormones in the body. The more testosterone, the more conversion to DHT in the body. In addition, running DHT derivatives such as Masteron, Winstrol or Proviron will further increase DHT. To combat this, bodybuilders have experimented with 5a-reductase inhibitors, such as dutasteride, to protect their existing hair and even re-grow more. However, this can come at a price and a myriad of side effects.
Dutasteride has been used for acne control, as it will lower an overabundance of androgens in the body. Nonetheless, it’s not a very effective anti-acne drug, and its potential side effects aren’t worth the possible acne control.
Side Effects:
Preventing sex hormone DHT from being converted from testosterone might not be the best idea in the long term. If you care about your sex drive, Dutasteride might not be for you. The two main side effects from this drug are erectile dysfunction (ED) decreased sexual desire (libido). Additional side effects like gynecomastia can occur as well, due to severely low DHT levels. Even with short term use at low dosages, some users have reported serious problems problems with ED. Therefore, the user must be extremely careful when using duta, and use it only if absolutely necessary.
A dosage of 2.5 mgs per day is a popular starting point among bodybuilders. Most guys are splitting the dose into AM/PM, but that’s not necessary. The half-life of Dutasteride is very long – up to 5 weeks. So, you can dose it EOD (every other day) or longer if you wish.
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