alfuzosin vs tolterodine
Side-by-side comparison of alfuzosin and tolterodine Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Uroxatral
Detrol
Alfuzosin is a medicine that helps men with enlarged prostate glands. It relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder, making it easier to urinate.
Tolterodine extended-release capsules help control an overactive bladder. It reduces the feeling of needing to go to the bathroom often.
This medicine treats the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. BPH can cause problems with urination, such as difficulty starting or stopping, frequent urination, and feeling like you can't empty your bladder. Alfuzosin helps to improve these symptoms.
This medicine treats overactive bladder. It helps reduce leaking urine, the strong need to urinate, and frequent urination. These symptoms are also known as urge urinary incontinence, urgency, and frequency.
Alfuzosin belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-1 blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck. This relaxation allows urine to flow more freely, relieving the symptoms of BPH.
Tolterodine belongs to a class of drugs called antimuscarinics. It works by blocking certain nerve signals to the bladder. This helps to relax the bladder muscles and reduce the urge to urinate.
- • Dizziness
- • Upper respiratory tract infection
- • Headache
- • Fatigue
- • Dry mouth
- • Headache
- • Constipation
- • Abdominal pain
- The medicine is not working 112
- Using the medicine for something it's not approved for 96
- Difficulty breathing 89
- The medicine is interacting with another medicine 87
- Tiredness 87
- The medicine is not working 466
- Falling down 407
- Feeling tired 406
- Feeling lightheaded 309
- Loose stools 308
Alfuzosin can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly when you stand up, leading to dizziness or fainting. Be careful when standing up quickly, especially when you first start taking this medicine. If you have chest pain (angina), tell your doctor immediately. This medicine may also affect your heart rhythm. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart problems.
Anaphylaxis and angioedema (severe allergic reactions) have happened with this drug. These reactions can cause difficulty breathing and require emergency treatment. Use caution if you have bladder problems, gastrointestinal issues, or glaucoma. This medicine can cause sleepiness, so be careful driving or operating heavy machinery.
This medicine is only for men and is not intended for use in women. It is not known if alfuzosin can harm an unborn baby or pass into breast milk.
It is not known if tolterodine is safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if tolterodine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking this medicine.
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How to Read This alfuzosin vs tolterodine Comparison
alfuzosin is classified in the Alpha-1 Blocker (BPH) drug class, while tolterodine sits within the Anticholinergic (Overactive Bladder) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, alfuzosin has 471 submissions while tolterodine has 1,896. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between alfuzosin and tolterodine — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.