Which symptom indicates that dutasteride has achieved its therapeutic effect?

Dutasteride is a medication primarily used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which often manifests as urinary symptoms due to the enlargement of the prostate gland. The therapeutic effect of dutasteride is indicated by alleviation of these urinary symptoms. When dutasteride effectively reduces the size of the prostate or inhibits its growth, patients typically experience improvements in urinary flow and a reduction in urinary retention.

In the context of this question, urinary retention is synonymous with difficulty in starting urination or a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. Therefore, if a patient is experiencing less urinary retention or improved urinary function after starting dutasteride, it suggests that the medication is working as intended, thereby confirming its therapeutic effect.

The other symptoms mentioned, such as pyrosis (heartburn), hypothyroidism, and anxiety, are not directly related to the efficacy of dutasteride in managing prostate-related urinary symptoms. These symptoms do not reflect the desired outcomes for a patient taking dutasteride for BPH.