Jalyn

Generic name: Dutasteride and tamsulosin

Drug class: 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors

Dosage form: Capsule

Root of administration: Oral

Dose: 0.5 mg dutasteride and 0.4 mg tamsulosin

Mechanism of action: Jalyn contains a combination of dutasteride and tamsulosin. Dutasteride prevents testosterone from converting to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT is involved in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Tamsulosin relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate.

Drug usage cases: Jalyn is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate.

Drug contra indications: You should not use Jalyn if you are allergic to dutasteride, finasteride, or tamsulosin. You should not take this medicine while you are taking tamsulosin (Flomax) or similar medicines, such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, silodosin, or terazosin. Jalyn should never be taken by a woman, a child, or a teenager. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin, and women or children should not be permitted to handle Jalyn capsules. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with this medication from a leaking capsule, wash the area with soap and water right away.

To make sure Jalyn is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

high or low blood pressure, liver or kidney disease, prostate cancer; or an allergy to sulfa drugs. Using this medicine may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Ask your doctor about this risk. Jalyn can affect your pupils. If you need eye surgery, tell the surgeon about your use of this medicine, even if you no longer take it.

Side effects: Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Jalyn (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling). Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Warnings: Jalyn should never be handled or taken by a woman, a child, or a teenager. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin. Do not donate blood while taking Jalyn and for at least 6 months after your treatment ends. Dutasteride can be carried in the blood and could cause birth defects if a pregnant women receives a transfusion with blood that contains dutasteride. You should not use Jalyn if you are allergic to dutasteride (Avodart) or tamsulosin (Flomax). Do not take this medicine if you are also taking alfuzosin (Uroxatral), doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), silodosin (Rapaflo), tamsulosin (Flomax), or terazosin (Hytrin). Jalyn may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer. Your doctor will perform tests to make sure you do not have other conditions that would prevent you from safely using this medicine. Tamsulosin can affect your pupils during cataract surgery. Tell your eye surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medication. Do not stop using Jalyn before surgery unless your surgeon tells you to.

Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding: This medication can cause birth defects if a woman is exposed to it during pregnancy. The capsules should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or who may become pregnant. If a woman accidentally comes into contact with the medication from a leaking capsule, wash the area with soap and water right away.