Dutasteride belongs to a group of drugs called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. These medications work by shrinking the size of your prostate. Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker. It works by relaxing muscles in your prostate and the neck of your bladder (the lower part of the bladder that connects to your urethra). Taking these medications together helps improve BPH symptoms more than taking either medicine alone.
Jalyn is available as an oral capsule that you take by mouth. Jalyn requires a prescription, so you’ll need to visit your healthcare provider to determine if this is the best treatment for you.
What Is Jalyn Used For?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Jalyn to treat the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH, or an enlarged prostate, is one of the most common medical conditions affecting men and increases with age. The prostate is a gland located below your bladder and surrounds your urethra. If your prostate becomes too large, you may develop symptoms that affect your ability to urinate, including:
Brand Name: Jalyn
Drug Availability: Prescription
Therapeutic Classification: 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, alpha-blocker
Available Generically: Yes
Controlled Substance: No
Administration Route: Oral
Active Ingredients: Dutasteride and tamsulosin
Dosage Form: Capsule
Needing to urinate frequently or urgentlyFeeling like you need to push or strain to begin urinatingNeeding to get up in the middle of the night to urinateFeeling like you haven’t completely emptied your bladderA weak urinary streamUrine flow stops and starts again while urinating
Jalyn helps improve these symptoms.
How to Take Jalyn
Jalyn is an oral capsule that you take by mouth once per day. You should take your dose of Jalyn 30 minutes after the same meal each day. Do not open, crush, or chew Jalyn since the contents in the capsule can irritate your lips, mouth, or throat.
Storage
Store Jalyn at room temperature, away from excess heat. Keep Jalyn and all your medications in a safe location, up high and out of the reach of children and pets.
What Are the Side Effects of Jalyn?
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.
Common Side Effects
You may experience side effects while taking Jalyn. Let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects that bother you or don’t go away.
Common side effects include:
Ejaculation problems Trouble getting or maintaining an erection Decreased sex drive Dizziness Enlarged or painful breasts Runny nose
Severe Side Effects
Rarely, Jalyn may cause serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop any severe reactions. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening. Serious side effects and their symptoms include:
Allergic reactions, including a severe form called anaphylaxis. Seek medical care immediately if you have trouble breathing; swelling of your face, tongue, or throat; or skin reactions, including skin peeling. Eye problems during cataract or glaucoma surgery (Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome). Be sure to let your eye surgeon know if you currently take Jalyn or have ever taken Jalyn in the past. Increased risk of a more serious form of prostate cancer Low blood pressure, especially when you first start treatment. Signs of low blood pressure include fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness. It is important to stand up slowly from a sitting or lying position and to make sure you feel steady before walking. Painful erections or an erection lasting longer than four hours (priapism). Priapism can permanently damage your penis if not treated right away and may affect your ability to have sex in the future.
Dosage: How Much Jalyn Should I Take?
Modifications
Pregnancy: People who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should not touch the Jalyn capsules since the medication can be absorbed through your skin and harm a male fetus. If you accidentally touch the capsules, wash your hands with soap and water.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your healthcare provider may send a report to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For oral dosage form (capsules): For benign prostatic hyperplasia: Adults—One capsule once a day. Each capsule contains 0. 5 milligram (mg) dutasteride and 0. 4 mg tamsulosin. Children—Use is not recommended.
Breastfeeding: Jalyn is only approved to treat males with BPH.
Pediatric: Jalyn is only approved to treat adults. The safety and effectiveness of using Jalyn in children have not been studied.
People over the age of 65: During clinical trials, the effectiveness and safety of Jalyn in older adults were similar to the effects in younger adults. However, some people over the age of 65 may be more sensitive to medication side effects. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know about any side effects you experience.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your dose of Jalyn, you may take it later in the day, 30 minutes after a meal. If you forget to take Jalyn for several days, call your healthcare provider before starting again.
Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Jalyn?
Taking too much Jalyn can cause your blood pressure to drop. Signs of low blood pressure include fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Call your healthcare provider or the Poison Control Center if you’ve taken too much Jalyn. If your symptoms feel life-threatening, call 911.
Precautions
What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Take Jalyn?
Certain conditions increase your risk of developing complications from Jalyn. Do not handle or take Jalyn if you are:
If someone collapses or isn’t breathing after taking Jalyn, call 911 immediately.
Women and children should not use this medicine. Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should not handle or touch the capsules. Dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin and can cause birth defects in male fetuses. If a pregnant woman does come in contact with this medicine, the affected area should be washed right away with soap and water, especially if the capsule is broken.
Because this medicine may cause some people to become dizzy or feel faint, make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur after you take this medicine, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help with this problem. If you feel dizzy, lie down so you do not faint. Then sit for a few moments before standing to prevent the dizziness from returning.
If you plan to have cataract surgery, tell your eye doctor (ophthalmologist) that you are taking this medicine or that you used this medicine in the previous 9 months. A serious eye problem called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has occurred in some patients who were taking this medicine or who had recently taken this medicine when they had cataract surgery.
This medicine may affect the results of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, which may be used to detect prostate cancer. Make sure you tell all of your doctors that you are using this medicine.
This medicine will not prevent prostate cancer but may increase your risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer. Tell your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.
You should seek medical attention right away if you experience a prolonged erection while using this medicine. This is an extremely rare unwanted effect that must be treated right away to prevent permanent erectile damage (impotence).
Men who have taken this medicine should not donate blood until 6 months have passed since the last dose. Dutasteride can remain in your blood for a long time and be passed on to a pregnant woman who receives a blood transfusion.
This medicine does not usually affect normal sexual abilities for most men. You may notice that you ejaculate less fluid when you have sex.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
Allergic to tamsulosin, dutasteride, or finasterideTaking another medication that contains an alpha-blocker (e. g. , doxazosin, terazosin, alfuzosin, silodosin, prazosin)Pregnant or plan to become pregnant
Be sure to inform your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions so they may determine if Jalyn is the best treatment for you.
What Other Medications Interact With Jalyn?
Some medications may interact with Jalyn. Let your healthcare provider know about all your medicines, including over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription products.
Certain drugs can increase Jalyn levels and cause side effects. Let your healthcare provider know if you take:
Clarithromycin Cymbalta (duloxetine) Darifenacin HIV medications Ketoconazole Myrbetriq (mirabegron) Nefazodone Noxafil (posaconazole) Paxil (paroxetine) Prezista (darunavir) Sporanox (itraconazole) Thioridazine Vfend (voriconazole)
Some medications can increase your chance of developing low blood pressure if taken with Jalyn, including other alpha-blockers. Watch out for:
Cardura (doxazosin) Flomax (tamsulosin) Minipress (prazosin) Rapaflo (silodosin) Terazosin Uroxatral (alfuzosin)
This is not a complete list of all the drugs that may interact with Jalyn. Always keep an up-to-date list of all the medicines you take, and let your healthcare provider and pharmacist know any time there are changes.
What Medications Are Similar?
Jalyn is the only BPH medication that combines an alpha-blocker (tamsulosin) with a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (dutasteride). These two medications work together to improve your BPH symptoms better than either alone. Additionally, Jalyn offers the convenience of only needing to take one capsule. However, the cost is higher than taking each medication separately.
Other alpha-blockers include:
Cardura (doxazosin) Flomax (tamsulosin) Minipress (prazosin) Rapaflo (silodosin) Terazosin Uroxatral (alfuzosin)
Other 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors include:
Avodart (dutasteride) Proscar (finasteride)
This is a list of drugs also prescribed to treat BPH, similar to the medications found in Jalyn. It is NOT a list of drugs to take with Jalyn. You should not take these drugs together. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Jalyn?
If you’re struggling with the symptoms of BPH, you’re not alone. Most men experience some degree of prostate enlargement as they age. Fortunately, effective medications like Jalyn can help improve your symptoms.
Be sure to also talk with your healthcare provider about lifestyle modifications. Avoiding fluids one to two hours before bedtime and limiting your alcohol, caffeine, and salt intake can help. Some people also benefit from a “voiding schedule”—urinating every 90—120 minutes daily. Keep track of your symptoms and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. Together, you will develop a treatment plan that gets you feeling your best.
