Avodart
AVODART®
(dutasteride) Soft Gelatin Capsules
DRUG DESCRIPTION
AVODART is a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound that is a selective inhibitor of both the type 1 and type 2 isoforms of steroid 5α-reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT.
Dutasteride is chemically designated as (5α,17β-N-{2,5 bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl}-3-oxo-4-azaandrost-1-ene-17-carboxamide. The empirical formula of dutasteride is C27H30F6N2O2, representing a molecular weight of 528.5 with the following structural formula:
![]() |
Dutasteride is a white to pale yellow powder with a melting point of 242° to 250° C. It is soluble in ethanol (44 mg/mL), methanol (64 mg/mL), and polyethylene glycol 400 (3 mg/mL), but it is insoluble in water.
Each AVODART Soft Gelatin Capsule, administered orally, contains 0.5 mg of dutasteride dissolved in a mixture of mono-di-glycerides of caprylic/capric acid and butylated hydroxytoluene. The inactive excipients in the capsule shell are gelatin (from certified BSE-free bovine sources), glycerin, and ferric oxide (yellow). The soft gelatin capsules are printed with edible red ink.
Generic Name: Dutasteride
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
Why Men Don't Go to the Doc
Experts say "American men live sicker and die younger than American women." Here are some explanations as to why.See more WebMD Videos »


