Dutasteride, as a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, was developed and introduced to the market in 1997. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes Dutasteride as a safe and efficacious treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Why do you need Dutasteride?
5-alpha-reductase serves an important role in steroid metabolism: it's responsible for the conversion of steroids into various metabolites within the prostate gland, skin, and hair follicles. The enzyme comprises three isoenzyme variants: SRD5A1, SRD5A2, and SRD5A3. For instance, Testosterone undergoes conversion to 5-alpha Dihydrotestosterone.
Steroid metabolites are really important to optimal physiological functions of your body. However, an elevated concentration of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the prostate gland can lead to benign prostatic enlargement (hyperplasia), while surplus DHT levels in scalp tissues may contribute to hair loss.
You need Dutasteride, the inhibitor, to effectively combat these two issues: hair loss and prostate enlargement on cycle.
Dutasteride Benefits
As a second-gen inhibitor, Dutasteride combats all three variants (SRD5A1, SRD5A2, and SRD5A3) of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme, suppressing DHT conversion within the prostate, skin, and scalp tissues.
Practically, it means:
- Less hair loss and hair thinning;
- No oily skin issues;
- Reduced chances of getting severe acne;
- Minimized chances of prostate enlargement;
- Generally more balanced DHT levels on a steroid cycle;
- Significantly reduced risk of prostate cancer.
Another practical benefit is that you can take a lower dose and still get the effects. Before approval, during the trials, two experimental groups of participants administered 0.5 mg and 5 mg of Dutasteride daily for a duration of 24 weeks. The outcomes are:
- 5 mg/day resulted in a 98% reduction in DHT levels;
- 0.5 mg/day achieved a 95% reduction in DHT levels.
This minor difference with ten-fold increase in dosage highlights that the effective sweet spot for most athletes is as low and as safe as it gets in terms of dosage.
Dutasteride Side Effects
Dutasteride is not an experimental or in any way new: it's an FDA-approved medication that is widely used in clinics all across the country. General public is more likely to buy Dutasteride in Canada to combat male pattern baldness, hair thinning, and alopecia treatment.
Though extremely rare, side effects still exist:
- Decreased libido;
- Temporary ED;
- Allergic reactions;
- Increased hair growth.
Note that on-cycle use with anabolic steroids can make your experience with Dutasteride different from those who use it to simply improve their hair. It's crucial to stay in line with the guidelines.
Dutasteride Dosage and Cycle Duration
Dutasteride is an anti-DHT compound, it's not a drug that's administered in cycles, like anabolic steroids. It's an on-cycle support one. You need it while you have elevated testosterone levels with all the exogenous hormones that you get through injections or pills.
- Dosage recommended: 0,5mg every day
- Cycle duration: not set, but safe to run up to 6 months until the effects appear.
Dutasteride is a low-dose, no-sides medication that's aimed at saving your hairline from moving back and your prostate from growing larger. Take it in moderation and drop immediately if you notice any signs of personal intolerance or allergy.