Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take this medication.

Blood donation: Men taking Dutasteride should not donate blood until at least 6 months have passed following their last dose. This is to prevent pregnant women from being exposed to dutasteride during a blood transfusion.

Liver disease: If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Dutasteride may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Dutasteride, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Prostate Cancer: Dutasteride may be linked to an increased risk of developing a rare type of cancer called high-grade prostate cancer. The risk of developing this cancer while taking Dutasteride is still considered very small. Note that dutasteride is not approved to treat prostate cancer. If you experience worsening symptoms or symptoms that do not improve within 6 months, discuss this with your doctor. PSA test: Dutasteride can decrease PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels by up to 50%. Doctors often measure PSA levels to test for prostate cancer. PSA levels can still be measured for this purpose, but your doctor will need to adjust the results in order for the test to be accurate. If you are having a PSA test, ensure your doctor knows that you are taking dutasteride.

Women and children: Dutasteride is intended for use by men only. Women and children must avoid contact with the medication, as it is absorbed through the skin. If contact occurs, wash the exposed area immediately with soap and water.

Pregnancy: Dutasteride is intended for use by men only. Women who may be pregnant must avoid touching any pills of dutaseride (even ones that are not leaking). Pregnant women or women who may be pregnant should not handle dutasteride because the medication can be absorbed through the skin and may cause abnormalities in the baby. If a pregnant woman accidentally comes in contact with the capsules, she should wash the contact area immediately with soap and water.

Breast-feeding: Dutasteride is not intended for use by women. It is not known if dutasteride passes into breast milk. Do not handle this medication if you are breast-feeding because the medication can be absorbed through the skin and may affect the baby.

Children: Dutasteride is not intended for use by children. The safety and effectiveness of dutasteride have not been established for use by people in this age group.