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. 2004;6(Suppl 9):S31–S39.

Table 4.

Summary of Dutasteride Versus Finasteride

Dutasteride (0.5 mg) Finasteride (5 mg)
5AR inhibition Type 1 and 2 Type 2 only
% DHT inhibition (serum) 93% 70%
Half-life 5 weeks 6 to 8 hours
Prostate size reduction −25.7% (2 y) −18% (4 y, PLESS)
(from baseline) −27.3% (4 y) −16% (4.5 y, MTOPS)
Urinary flow 2.2 mL/sec (2 y) 1.7 mL/sec (4 y, PLESS)
improvement (Qmax) 2.7 mL/sec (4 y) 2.2 mL/sec (4.5 y, MTOPS)
Improvement in symptoms −4.4 (2 y) −3.3 (4 y, PLESS)
(AUA-SI) −6.5 (4 y) −5.0 (4.5 y, MTOPS)
% Reduction in AUR 57% (2 y) 57% (4 y, PLESS)
79% (4.5 y, MTOPS)
% Reduction in surgery 48% (2 y) 55% (4 y, PLESS)
69% (4.5 y, MTOPS)

5AR, 5α-reductase; DHT, dihydrotestosterone; PLESS, Proscar Long-Term Efficacy and Safety Study; MTOPS, Medical Treatment of Prostate Symptoms Study; Qmax, maximum flow rate; AUA-SI, American Urological Association-Symptom Index; AUR, acute urinary retention.