This is a study using two FDA approved medications: Testosterone and the study medication, Dutasteride (Avodart 0.5mg/day). Half of the subjects will receive dutasteride and half will receive a placebo. The study medication will be taken for 12 months. The subjects participating in the study are men who are already taking their own testosterone supplement because they have low testosterone levels which may cause them to experience sexual function difficulties, have fatigue or other symptoms. Testosterone can have an adverse effect of causing an enlarged prostate (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy) (BPH). Dutasteride (Avodart) is an approved medication used to decrease the prostate size, prevent urinary symptoms and reduce the risk of surgery. The researchers would like to see if by taking dutasteride and testosterone at the same time they can prevent the adverse effects of testosterone and at the same time get the positive benefits of testosterone. There will be 6 scheduled visits for the study and 2 diagnostic tests called a TRUS (TransRectal UltraSound), to evaluate prostate size. The six visits at will include consenting, blood work, two sexual function questionnaires, a physical examination, physical measurements, study medication teaching and dispensing of study medication.
Termination criteria 1. Serum AST or ALT \> 3 times ULN 2. Total serum bilirubin \> 1.5 times ULN * no study termination of a patient with documented Gilberts disease for an isolated bilirubin elevation unless it exceeds 2.5x the upper limit of normal. 3. Hematocrit \> 55% 4. Subject experiences any unacceptable or intolerable adverse effect. 5. Subject is non-compliant with the study protocol. 6. Subject needs to take any medication that would interfere with study measurements 7. Subject develops prostate or breast cancer
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
24
0.5mg by mouth one time per day for 1 year
one tablet per day for 1 year
Men's Health Boston
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
The Miriam Hospital
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
PSA reduction
Time frame: with up to 12 months of treatment
PV reduction with up to 12 months of treatment
Time frame: 1 year treatment
DHT and T levels: serum
Time frame: 1 year treatment
Prostatic TRUS pre and post treatment
Time frame: 1 year treatment
IIEF; MHSQ: Questionnaires examining the domains of erectile and orgasmic function in men in the two treatment arms
Time frame: 1 year treatment
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