Avodart Side Effects

[doboydugout]

re: muscular effect::::: began taking avodart as medicated approach to bph on Aug 25, 06. within one week, began feeling unusual soreness/stiffness in muscles of legs. believe to be attributable to avodart. i am discontinuing to determine the cause/effect. age 81 -- long term problem with bph, incl one turp.

[Lenny]

John, I just came from the doctor and he wants to put me on this Avodart, and he did say I should expect to be on it the rest of my life. He did say something about the fact if you did stop taking it, the prostrate would grow fast to catch up to the normal body growth. That concerns me! What the heck do we do?

[Phil B Rockwall TX]

I started taking Flomax 3 weeks ago and I noticed an inprovement the very first night. I started Avodart in conjunction with Flomax about a week lated. I know that any effects of Avodart will take several month to appear, but after reading the 22 entries above, I think I will stop the Avodart. I (and my 2 brothers, 1 older and 1 younger) have enlarged prostates and have always had high PSA's but none of us have had cancer. I'm 63. The only side effect I have noticed (which may be caused by something else) is I suddenly lost my sence of taste and my mouth feels starchy & dry. Even my favorite beer tastes bad. Bummer!

[Tom]

William L wrote:

I've been taking Flomax for a couple of years and it works well. However I experience side effects including ED and low seamen production. I have Avadart samples from my doc but I'm reluctant to start them in conjunction with the Flomax. Anyone have any experience taking both meds?

William I took Flowmax and Avordart in combination. I had good results my Prostate shrunk from gland volume of 87 CM to gland volume 70 CM
I TOOK THE COMBO FOR 60 DAYS. now I take 0.5 mg of Avodart. the reason I dropped taking the flowmax is I became too lethargic. I go in 60 days on then nothing for 60 days, this is OK with my Physician. age 75

[doboydugout]

doboydugout wrote:

re: muscular effect::::: began taking avodart as medicated approach to bph on Aug 25, 06. within one week, began feeling unusual soreness/stiffness in muscles of legs. believe to be attributable to avodart. i am discontinuing to determine the cause/effect. age 81 -- long term problem with bph, incl one turp.

09/19/06 within three days after discontinuing taking avodart, muscular stiffness/soreness in legs dissipated.

[Jimbo]

I am 62 and have been taking Avodart for more than six months. My prostrate has shrunk and my PSA count is back to normal. My urine flow is excellent. The only problem is that my ejaculations are down to almost nothing, although I still have a sex drive and can climax.

[Duke]

I am 45 years old and started developing prostate problems in my 30's
Starting with prostitise and progressing to mildly advanced BPH (going every 20-30 Minutes, 4 of 5 time in the night).
I have no idea if the prostitise was the related to developing BPH or added to the symptoms.
I have been on Flomax for 2 years.
Initially it was mildly effective in my frequency, and less so with urgency.
After about 1 year my symptoms returned to pre-flomax levels and possibly worse. My Proctologist doubled my does to 2 pills a day and started me on Avodart. The combo have been partially effective although I still have a level of urgency and frequency that is intrusive in my life.
My side effects with Avodart (assumed because the earlier treatment of flomax didn't present them) have been pronounced and problematic. Severe Mood swings and depression. Almost complete lack of libido. No or very little ejaculation. greatly decreased pleasure with sex. under-welming orgasms. Back and hip pain.
My interest in sex was so effected I went from a 5 times a week guy to a once a month guy and I didn't even enjoy it much then.
This has had a devastating effect on my Marriage and personal life. My wife says I am like a different person and initially thought I was having an affair because of my lack of desire in the bedroom.

Needless to say I feel trapped--the relief of some of my urination problems has been welcome but the side effects are taking away a big part of my enjoyment in life.
So much so that I am considering dropping the Avodart and having a TURP (surgery) instead, Something both my doctor and I wanted to avoid because of my relatively young age.
The only big plus has been my hair has stopped thinning and grown thicker!

[Elo]

I have been taking Avodart since July 11, I was also on Flomax, but was taken off that because of severe side effects, (I became violent). I am having severe side effects from the Avodart also, no ejaculations what so ever, no lubrication, and impotency. I had a tumor(beign) removed from my prostrate and bladder and have BHP. What else can I take, it is affecting my marriage, I am 54.

[Elo]

Duke wrote:

I am 45 years old and started developing prostate problems in my 30's
Starting with prostitise and progressing to mildly advanced BPH (going every 20-30 Minutes, 4 of 5 time in the night).
I have no idea if the prostitise was the related to developing BPH or added to the symptoms.
I have been on Flomax for 2 years.
Initially it was mildly effective in my frequency, and less so with urgency.
After about 1 year my symptoms returned to pre-flomax levels and possibly worse. My Proctologist doubled my does to 2 pills a day and started me on Avodart. The combo have been partially effective although I still have a level of urgency and frequency that is intrusive in my life.
My side effects with Avodart (assumed because the earlier treatment of flomax didn't present them) have been pronounced and problematic. Severe Mood swings and depression. Almost complete lack of libido. No or very little ejaculation. greatly decreased pleasure with sex. under-welming orgasms. Back and hip pain.
My interest in sex was so effected I went from a 5 times a week guy to a once a month guy and I didn't even enjoy it much then.
This has had a devastating effect on my Marriage and personal life. My wife says I am like a different person and initially thought I was having an affair because of my lack of desire in the bedroom.
Needless to say I feel trapped--the relief of some of my urination problems has been welcome but the side effects are taking away a big part of my enjoyment in life.
So much so that I am considering dropping the Avodart and having a TURP (surgery) instead, Something both my doctor and I wanted to avoid because of my relatively young age.
The only big plus has been my hair has stopped thinning and grown thicker!

Don't have the TURP, is has the same side effects as the Avodart. I know. Look into Green Lazer Light Surgery. Flomax and Avodart had the same exact side effects, on me. Your post is exactly the same as what I am going through. I am considering stopping the Avodart, it is more problems that it is worth.

[John C]

I'm 45yr old Black male who after 2 yrs of UTI's, lack of energy, body out of wack and 2 biospy (last on Oct 2 and both neg.) have been told that I have an enlarge prostate. The doc placed me on avodart. I was reluctant at first, due to other medical problem from recent physical which I think the prostate was the primary cause. Raised blood pressure, high blood sugar and just no energy. So I started more exercise and got the blood sugar under control and now on bp meds. So the thought of having to take another drug wasn't something I was looking forward too. So, I sought information because of side effects from bp meds I just didn't want more. I found this forum and after 4 days I noticed the shrinkage this morning with pain in my tail bone area. Has anyone had the pain in their tail bone? If so will it eventually subside? Also having slight headace. Can't really tell if its making a difference due to recovering from the biospy. As with all I'm simply looking for the least long term painful way to deal with this.

[Wife of patient]

My husband has been on Avodart since July 11, 2006, he had a surgery to remove a beign tumor from his prostrate and bladdder. The doctor said the way the surgery was done he should have no sexual problems. He does. He is having incontinence, and no ejaculation at all. WHY? We have him on a regiment of high potency vitamins, lycopene, Vit-B 150, a Zinc tablet daily. What I want to know is we also have him on Prostate Formula made by Urinozinc Prostahelp.. Is it safe to be taking with the Avodart?
the formula has the following ingredients: Vit-E, Vit-B6, Folic Acid, Vit-B12, Magnesium, Zinz,Selenium, Pumpkin Seed, Saw Palmetto, Pygeum Extract, and Lycopene. It is specifically designed to help the male prostrate. Does anyone know if this formula is safe to be taking with the Avodart? We would rather find a more natural way than Avodart. The Avodart is causing other problems, moodiness, anxiety, depression, besides the retrograde ejaculation, and it is also causing him not to have any lubrication with sexual intercourse.

Wife

[John C]

Ok after doing more research I decided to switch to taking avodart at bedtime, so I skipped the morning dose and change to the evening. The next morning I felt a cramp like sensation around my heart area lasting a few seconds. This would continue through out the day til early evening hour. The pain in my lower back/tailbone area is down to almost nonexistent. I do have body aches from time to time, but I feel this will go away but the pain around my heart is a real concern. So a call to the Doc tomarrow. I think I'm going to stop taking it for a few days, just to see if this if this is the true cause.

[Phil L]

I have been on flowmax & cardura for years. My symptoms weren't getting any better so my flowmax was increased to 1 pill 2 x a day..plus the cardura. My doctor added avodart about 4 months ago. I have noticed a dramatic improvement in frequency & urgency. I was able to cut the flowmax down to 1 pill 1 times a day then completely cut the flowmax out. I was having the problem with almost no ejaculation before stopping the flowmax once the avodart was added. Once I was able to stop the flowmax all together, the ejaculation problem is gone. I do have some kind of breathing difficulties. I am able to ride the exercise bike w/o any problems but small exertions seem to bring on the breathing difficulties. This may not be related to the avodart but I just need to know if anyone else on avodart is experiencing breathing difficulties that seem to come and go.

[John C]

Phil,

That seems to be what I'm feeling with avodart. Seems like the least exertions will cause sharp cramp like pains and can't catch a full breath for a few seconds then its gone. I had to stop taking it. Its been three days since my last pill and its still bothers me to a lesser degree. I'm waiting on a call from the doctor now. It did seem to help on and off in the first week of use, but I don't think I'll be able to continue to take it.

[Phil L]

Thanks for your reply John.
Do you feel "breathless" when the difficulties began w/the breathing? My wife is worried so she made a doctors appt for tues with our internist. At that time i'll discuss the avodart. Can't say if it has anything to do with it but it started after I was on the avodart for a few weeks. I hope it's not the avodart because I'm extremely happy with the results. I'm a golfer and had it not been for avodart, I would have had to quit playing. The frequency and urgency were becoming quite a problem for me. Good luck John. Let me know how you make out. Phil

John C wrote:

Phil,
That seems to be what I'm feeling with avodart. Seems like the least exertions will cause sharp cramp like pains and can't catch a full breath for a few seconds then its gone. I had to stop taking it. Its been three days since my last pill and its still bothers me to a lesser degree. I'm waiting on a call from the doctor now. It did seem to help on and off in the first week of use, but I don't think I'll be able to continue to take it.

[Wendell age 43]

I was placed on Avodart for an enlarged prostrate.
After taking for one week I began to have chest pains, which would last ~ one - two minutes. I returned to my doc to for follow up and reported these pains, he thougt I may have a hurnia. After reading some of the stories from this site I believe it is the Avodart, I am going to quit taking to see if symptoms go away.

[John C]

Phil,

What I experienced was like I could not catch a full breath, but if I took short ones it went away within seconds. Some lasted up to a minute or so but most was just a few seconds. I walked saturday and the first 2 minutes it hurt and then it was gone and the rest of the 30 minute walk did not feel a thing, actually felt great. Today(monday) the pain is just about gone. I was having them 8 to 10 times, I've only had one slight one when I stretch this morning. I'm also a golfer and I know what mean. I was also getting some relief the short time I was on it. Actually had a couple nights of full sleep and only 1 day where I had that urgency to urinate sensation. So that was great. Each day of not taking avodart well its returned lastnight. Oh well, I really wanted this to work after reading some of the choices. Whats next???

[Elo]

I am off of Avodart. Because of the real bad side effects the doctor has taken me off Avodart. He said it was just to much for my system and it was basically shutting my sexual functions totally down. Hooray.

[Phil L]

John,
I went to my internist today. He feels I'm having a heart issue so it's most likey got nothing to do with the avodart. My ekg didn't look good so he's scheduling a halter monitor. Hope all is better for you once stopping the avodart. Phil

John C wrote:

Phil,
What I experienced was like I could not catch a full breath, but if I took short ones it went away within seconds. Some lasted up to a minute or so but most was just a few seconds. I walked saturday and the first 2 minutes it hurt and then it was gone and the rest of the 30 minute walk did not feel a thing, actually felt great. Today(monday) the pain is just about gone. I was having them 8 to 10 times, I've only had one slight one when I stretch this morning. I'm also a golfer and I know what mean. I was also getting some relief the short time I was on it. Actually had a couple nights of full sleep and only 1 day where I had that urgency to urinate sensation. So that was great. Each day of not taking avodart well its returned lastnight. Oh well, I really wanted this to work after reading some of the choices. Whats next???

[John C]

Phil,

Sorry to hear of your heart problems. I go tomarrow to see whats going on with me. Chest pains are going away. None so far today, so I don't know. What I do know is it started a week after I started avodart and 5 days after stopping I feel its going away. I hope all goes well with you.