Ed And Loss Of Libido From Dutasteride

[washisth]

I first noticed my hair loss at age 20. As things started to get worse I started Minoxidil 5% twice a day at age 22. Minoxidil did work But after 1.5 years on minoxidil, hair loss increased again to I started Dutasteride 0.5 daily last year in June. I did experience little ED and low libido in first 2 weeks of starting duta but they went after 2 weeks. Thing were going fine, my hair was getting thick. Then in last few months I started having some scalp acne, so last month I shaved my head and consulted a doctor, he said you have got fungul infection and suggested itraconazole 200mg for 1 month. After taking itraconazole for 2 days I started experiencing serious side effects, I could not get an erection, had serious brain fog (things moving slow motion, no concentration), At first I thought it is all because I am not getting enough sleep and all, but after 1 week on itraconazole things did not get any better, so I stopped itraconazole and
cut my Dutasteride dosage to 0.5mg per 2 days.
I continued like this for a week. But things did not get any better to I decided to quit Duta. Its been 4 days since I have quit duta, 1.5 weeks since I have quit itraconazole. I am experiencing some serious ED. I struggle to get an erection, I some how mange to get it but its very loose and needs constant touching to keep it and goes off in few seconds if I stop touching. My libido is also very very low. I am not getting any morning wood and nocturnal erections. I don’t know what to do now. I am feeling really depressed. I feel like I have committed a huge mistake which has cost me my manhood. Does anyone has an experience with Dutasteride side effects? How long does it take to come back to normal? Does it even comes back to normal? I don’t know what to do now.
Also I have mentioned itraconazole explicitly because after some googling I saw few reports that suggest Dutasteride gets absorbed much more when taken along with itraconazole.

 

[hemingway_the_mercenary]

if its from the dutasteride it could be 2-4 months before you erection are back to normal

 

[washisth]

Thanks.
I believe it is from Dutasteride but itraconazole acted as catalyst here. I am attaching the screen shots where it says itraconazole promotes absorption of Dutasteride in body.

Also these sideffects from Dutasteride can occur any time or only likely to occur during first few months of taking it?

 

[g.i joey]

Why don’t you just wait for the sides to go away and start back up again on finasteride? How come you went straight to dutasteride anyways?

 

[washisth]

Actually I did try finasteride for 2 months before I started minoxidil, as I felt monxidil was too much hassle. But I had a really bad shed on finasteride, also my scalp was more oily and itchy and had high libido. As I was new to all this, after reading few threads I thought I was having reflex from finasteride. So I panicked and stopped finasteride and started minoxidil.
So when hair fall started increasing after 1.5 years on minoxidil, I started Dutasteride because I feared finasteride might give me reflex again. Also I read a few sucess stories of people starting directly with Dutasteride. So I thought dutasteride is the way to go. And luckily I did not have any major shed on Dutasteride and those little side effects went after first 2 weeks.

And now here I am having major side effects after 1 year.
Looks like I do not have any option other than waiting and hoping that these side effects go away.

 

[ButWhyTho]

Hey bro just relax. This is most likely caused by the drug interactions. Here's the response from an online drug checker:

Itraconazole may increase the blood levels of dutasteride. This can increase the risk of side effects such as impotence, decreased libido, ejaculation disorders, and breast enlargement or tenderness. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Did you inform your doctor of you current medications?
Further Dutasteride has a half life of about 4-5 weeks after achieving steady state. That means even after 4-5 weeks you will still have about the half of the duta in your system, most likely around 20ng/ml overall. You just need wait it out. Don't stress. If things don't improve after a month then you should try to revisit and seek medical help.

 

[Kendell]

Hey any update? Have the sides decreased or vanish?