dr laub started me on it 2 months ago (1 a day for 7 days, then 1 a week).
flow started improving almost immediately.  no side effects noted.  pvp done
2 plus yrs ago.

Avodart (Dutasteride) is similar to Proscar (Finasteride) in that it
blocks the conversion of testosterone (T) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

There are two pathways for the conversion of T to DHT and they involve
the 5-alpha reductase-1 (5-AR1) and 5-AR2 enzymes.

Proscar blocks only the major pathway;

Avodart blocks both pathways and is therefore usually more effective in
reducing DHT levels.  DHT levels can be a concern if one has BPH and is
worried about the possibility of prostate cancer.

DHT is 3-10 times more effective than T in stimulating hormonally
dependent prostate cancer cell growth, low DHT levels are desirable.

Both Proscar or Avodart are part of the ADT3 regimen often used to
reduce T and DHT levels in hormonally-dependent PCa.
Avodart is used in the treatment of BPH.

Short-term (2 year) studies have shown no increase in adverse events
when Avodart was compared to a placebo in these BHP studies...

~ curtis

knowledge is power - growing old is mandatory - growing wise is optional    
"Many more men die with prostate cancer than of it. Growing old is
invariably fatal. Prostate cancer is only sometimes so."
http://community.webtv.net/PALMER_ENT/doc

Huck,

Avodart has worked well for me.  I have been on Avodart for about 9
months.  My prostate has shrunk in volume from 108 g (measured by TRUS)
to 72 g (TRUS) and that reading is over 2 months old!  My guess is that
my prosted volume is now about 60 g.  I am just now starting to get
some symptom relief.  I was scheduled for PVP (the smaller the gland
the more willing the uros seem to be to use this Procedure) with one of
the best - Dr. Reiter at UCLA but have had to postpone for personal
reasons.  I will continue to take Avodart and shrink the prostate, but
I will go for the PVP as soon as my situation allows.

Best of luck.