Jalyn

Generic name: dutasteride and tamsulosin
Drug class: 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors

Medically reviewed by A Ras MD.

What is Jalyn used for?

Jalyn is a prescription medicine that is used to treat the signs of an enlarged prostate. Jalyn may be given to you for other reasons.

Description

JALYN (dutasteride and tamsulosin hydrochloride) capsules contain dutasteride (a selective inhibitor of both the type 1 and type 2 isoforms of steroid 5 alpha-reductase, an intracellular enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT and tamsulosin (an antagonist of alpha1A-adrenoceptors in the prostate). Each JALYN capsule contains the following:

•: One dutasteride oblong, opaque, dull-yellow soft gelatin capsule, containing 0.5 mg of dutasteride dissolved in a mixture of butylated hydroxytoluene and mono-di-glycerides of caprylic/capric acid. The inactive ingredients in the soft-gelatin capsule shell are ferric oxide (yellow), gelatin (from certified BSE-free bovine sources), glycerin, and titanium dioxide.
•: Tamsulosin hydrochloride white to off-white pellets, containing 0.4 mg tamsulosin hydrochloride and the inactive ingredients: methacrylic acid copolymer dispersion, microcrystalline cellulose, talc, and triethyl citrate.

The above components are encapsulated in a hard-shell capsule made with the inactive ingredients of carrageenan, FD&C yellow 6, hypromellose, iron oxide red, potassium chloride, titanium dioxide, and imprinted with “GS 7CZ” in black ink.

Dutasteride: Dutasteride is a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound chemically designated as (5α,17β)-N-{2,5 bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl}-3-oxo-4-azaandrost-1-ene-17-carboxamide. The empirical formula of dutasteride is C27H30F6N2O2, representing a molecular weight of 528.5 with the foll

owing structural formula:

Dutasteride is a white to pale yellow powder with a melting point of 242° to 250°C. It is soluble in ethanol (44 mg/mL), methanol (64 mg/mL), and polyethylene glycol 400 (3 mg/mL), but it is insoluble in water.

Tamsulosin: Tamsulosin hydrochloride is a synthetic compound chemically designated as (-)-(R)-5-[2-[[2-(o-Ethoxyphenoxy)ethyl]amino]propyl]-2-methoxybenzenesulfonamide, monohydrochloride.

The empirical formula of tamsulosin hydrochloride is C20H28N2O5S•HCl. The molecular weight of tamsulosin hydrochloride is 444.97. Its structural formula is:

tamsulosin hydrochloride structural formula

Tamsulosin hydrochloride is a white or almost white crystalline powder that melts with decomposition at approximately 234°C. It is sparingly soluble in water and slightly soluble in methanol, ethanol, acetone, and ethyl acetate.

Mechanism of Action

JALYN is a combination of 2 drugs with different mechanisms of action to improve symptoms in patients with BPH: dutasteride, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, and tamsulosin, an antagonist of alpha1A-adrenoreceptors.

Dutasteride

Dutasteride inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT. DHT is the androgen primarily responsible for the initial development and subsequent enlargement of the prostate gland. Testosterone is converted to DHT by the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, which exists as 2 isoforms, type 1 and type 2. The type 2 isoenzyme is primarily active in the reproductive tissues, while the type 1 isoenzyme is also responsible for testosterone conversion in the skin and liver.

Dutasteride is a competitive and specific inhibitor of both type 1 and type 2 5-alpha-reductase isoenzymes, with which it forms a stable enzyme complex. Dissociation from this complex has been evaluated under in vitro and in vivo conditions and is extremely slow. Dutasteride does not bind to the human androgen receptor.

Tamsulosin

Smooth muscle tone is mediated by the sympathetic nervous stimulation of alpha1-adrenoceptors, which are abundant in the prostate, prostatic capsule, prostatic urethra, and bladder neck. Blockade of these adrenoceptors can cause smooth muscles in the bladder neck and prostate to relax, resulting in an improvement in urine flow rate and a reduction in symptoms of BPH.

Tamsulosin, an alpha1-adrenoceptor blocking agent, exhibits selectivity for alpha1-receptors in the human prostate. At least 3 discrete alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes have been identified: alpha1A, alpha1B, and alpha1D; their distribution differs between human organs and tissue. Approximately 70% of the alpha1-receptors in human prostate are of the alpha1A subtype. Tamsulosin is not intended for use as an antihypertensive.

Before taking Jalyn, tell your doctor:

For all patients taking Jalyn:

If you have a sulfa allergy.
If you are allergic to Jalyn; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you take any drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) that must not be taken with Jalyn, like certain drugs that are used for HIV, infections, or depression. There are many drugs that must not be taken with Jalyn. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you if you are taking a drug that must not be taken with Jalyn.
If you are a woman. This medicine is not approved for use in women. If you are a woman using Jalyn, talk with your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding.

Children:

If the patient is a child. Do not give Jalyn to a child.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Jalyn with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Jalyn?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take Jalyn. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how Jalyn affects you.
To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
Do not donate blood while using Jalyn and for 6 months after stopping.
A serious form of prostate cancer was seen more often in certain men taking drugs like this one than in those who were not. This was seen in a trial of men taking these drugs to lower the chance of prostate cancer. Talk with your doctor.
Pregnant women or females of childbearing age must not touch the capsules. Talk with the doctor.
If a woman who is pregnant or may get pregnant touches a leaking capsule, the area must be washed right away with soap and water. Tell your doctor right away.
If you are having cataract surgery or other eye procedure, talk with your doctor.
Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
Check your blood pressure as you have been told.
Have a rectal exam (to check prostate gland) and blood work (PSA test). Talk with your doctor.
This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Jalyn.
Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.
This medicine may affect sperm in men. This may affect being able to father a child. Talk with the doctor.

How is Jalyn best taken?

Use Jalyn as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Keep taking Jalyn as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
Take 30 minutes after the same meal every day.
Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
Do not open the capsules.
Do not take or touch the capsule if it is deformed, changes color, or is leaking.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it, after a meal.
If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
If you miss taking Jalyn for a few days in a row, call your doctor before you start taking it again.

What are the side effects of Jalyn that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Dizziness or passing out.
A lump in the breast, breast pain or soreness, or nipple discharge.
Enlarged breasts.
Breast pain.
Low mood (depression).
Call your doctor right away if you have a painful erection (hard penis) or an erection that lasts for longer than 4 hours. This may happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it may lead to lasting sex problems and you may not be able to have sex.

What are some other side effects of Jalyn?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Runny nose.
This medicine may cause a change in sex ability in men or lowered interest in sex. This could go on after you stop Jalyn. Talk with your doctor if these effects go on or bother you.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Jalyn?

Store at room temperature.
Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.