Physicians prescribe the generically named medication dutasteride in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, also called an enlarged prostate. The medicine works to prevent the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme from altering testosterone. This change, if left untreated, causes abnormal growth of the prostate gland in men. The Mayo Clinic reports that cessation of dutasteride treatment will allow the prostate to continue to enlarge beyond its normal size. Dutasteride may be prescribed by itself for treatment of this condition or in combination with tamsulosin, which causes relaxation of the prostate muscles.
Breast Problems
Although dutasteride only works in men--and the Mayo Clinic warns against women of child-bearing age even touching the medicine--the drug can produce side effects in the breasts. A man's breasts may enlarge while he takes dutasteride. He also may feel tenderness in his breasts because of the medication. Breast problems do not qualify as serious side effects, Drugs.com reports, and should be gone in a short time. The organization, however, suggests consulting a physician if problems persist or if breast problems present themselves as severe.
Impotence
When a man begins taking dutasteride, he may find he cannot have an erection of the penis, even with sexual stimulation. Classified as a non-serious and common side effect of dutasteride, this impotence typically stops within a week of beginning treatment with the drug. The man's doctor should be told, however, if it continues, according to Drugs.com.
Lowered Libido
Even if the man taking dutasteride can get and maintain an erection of the penis, his desire for sexual intercourse or other sexual activity may be decreased at the beginning of his treatment with the medication. Drugs.com reports that all side effects reported, even the most common types such as a decreased libido, generally will be mild and transient, meaning they will not continue for long after the initial use of dutasteride.
Ejaculation Problems
Dutasteride also may induce problems for a man reaching orgasm and ejaculating, the National Institutes of Health reports. This may occur even if other side effects of the medicine such as impotence and a lowered libido do not happen. However, like the other side effects, these do not continue for long in most men, and most often vanish within a week.
