dutasteride/tamsulosin vs ketoconazole

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Side-by-side comparison of dutasteride/tamsulosin and ketoconazole. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Concomitant treatment with ketoconazole (a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4) resulted in increases in the C max and AUC of tamsulosin by factors of 2.2 and 2.8, respectively. Since CYP2D6 PMs cannot be readily identified and the potential for significant increase in tamsulosin exposure exists when tamsulosin 0.4 mg is coadministered with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors in CYP2D6 PMs, tamsulosin 0.4 mg capsules should not be used in combination with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole).

Drug Class
dutasteride/tamsulosin 5-ARI / Alpha-Blocker Combination
ketoconazole Azole Antifungal
Type
dutasteride/tamsulosin Prescription
ketoconazole Over-the-Counter
Summary
dutasteride/tamsulosin

This medicine combines two drugs to treat enlarged prostate in men. It helps improve urine flow and reduce symptoms.

ketoconazole

Ketoconazole shampoo is an antifungal medicine. It treats a fungal infection on your skin.

What It Treats
dutasteride/tamsulosin

This medicine treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, in men. It helps to relieve symptoms like frequent urination, difficulty starting urination, and weak urine stream. This medicine is not approved to prevent prostate cancer.

ketoconazole

This shampoo treats tinea versicolor, a fungal infection. This infection can cause patches on your skin that are lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. These patches may appear on your trunk, neck, arms, and upper thighs.

How It Works
dutasteride/tamsulosin

This medicine contains two drugs that work in different ways. Dutasteride lowers a hormone called DHT that causes the prostate to grow. Tamsulosin relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder, making it easier to urinate.

ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is an antifungal medicine. It works by stopping the growth of the fungus. This helps to clear up the infection.

Common Side Effects
dutasteride/tamsulosin
  • Problems with ejaculation
  • Impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection)
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Dizziness
  • Breast enlargement or tenderness
ketoconazole

No common side effects listed.

FAERS Reports
dutasteride/tamsulosin
  • Shortness of breath 1,233
  • Tiredness 1,142
  • Feeling lightheaded or unsteady 986
  • Weakness 933
  • Loose stools 897
ketoconazole
  • Fatigue 929
  • Pruritus 902
  • Nausea 834
  • Rash 802
  • Diarrhoea 760
Serious Warnings
dutasteride/tamsulosin

This medicine can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting, especially when you stand up. Be careful to avoid falls or injuries. Do not take this medicine with other alpha-blockers, as it can lower your blood pressure too much. This medicine can affect your PSA levels, which are used to screen for prostate cancer, so tell your doctor you are taking this medicine. Pregnant women should not handle this medicine, as it can harm a male fetus.

ketoconazole

You should not use this shampoo if you are allergic to ketoconazole or any of the other ingredients.

Pregnancy
dutasteride/tamsulosin

This medicine is not for women. It can harm a male fetus if a pregnant woman is exposed to it. Pregnant women should not handle this medicine.

ketoconazole

It is not known if ketoconazole shampoo can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before using this medicine.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This dutasteride/tamsulosin vs ketoconazole Comparison

dutasteride/tamsulosin is classified in the 5-ARI / Alpha-Blocker Combination drug class, while ketoconazole sits within the Azole Antifungal class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are split between OTC and prescription status, which affects access and supervision.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, dutasteride/tamsulosin has 5,191 submissions while ketoconazole has 4,227. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to ketoconazole stops the body from breaking down tamsulosin, which can cause the drug to build up to unsafe levels.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for dutasteride/tamsulosin or ketoconazole.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.