I Am Vegetarian and Dutasteride Capsules are Made from Gelatin

Hello,

I take one 0.5mg generic dutasteride capsule (Duprost) daily for hair loss purposes.

The capsule is made from gelatine, an animal product, and as I am vegetarian would there be any negative effect on the effectiveness of this product if I bite down on the capsule to release and swallow only the contents but do not swallow the gelatine capsule?

Thank you

Honestly, I don’t know for sure. The contents of the pill can likely be ingested without the gelatine capsule — I can’t say how good or bad the taste is, though. I’d ask your prescribing doctor, however. I’ve prescribed this very few times and the pills I’ve prescribed aren’t in a gelcap, as far as I know (though they might not be generic). I’m not ready to recommend dutasteride yet in treating hair loss, as you would probably have more negative side effects from dutasteride over something like finasteride.

Update:
The official Avodart labeling I found on the FDA site specifically says, “The capsules should be swallowed whole and not chewed or opened, as contact with the capsule contents may result in irritation of the oropharyngeal mucosa.”