dutasteride vs finasteride
Side-by-side comparison of dutasteride and finasteride Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Avodart
Proscar, Propecia
Dutasteride and tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules contain two medicines to treat enlarged prostate in men. They help improve symptoms like frequent urination.
Finasteride is a medicine used to treat hair loss in men. It helps to prevent further hair loss on the head.
This medicine treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, in men. It helps with symptoms like needing to urinate often, especially at night. It is for men who have an enlarged prostate causing these problems. This medicine is not approved to prevent prostate cancer.
Finasteride treats male pattern hair loss on the head. It is for use in men only. It is not effective for treating receding hairlines at the temples. This medicine will not work for women.
Dutasteride lowers a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that causes the prostate to grow. Tamsulosin relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder. This combination helps urine flow more easily.
Finasteride blocks a substance in the body that changes testosterone into another hormone. This other hormone causes hair loss in men. By blocking it, finasteride can help reduce hair loss.
- • Problems with ejaculation
- • Impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection)
- • Decreased sex drive
- • Dizziness
- • Breast enlargement or tenderness
- • Decreased sex drive
- • Trouble getting an erection
- • Problems with ejaculation (decreased amount of semen)
- The medicine is not working 1,402
- Difficulty breathing 1,233
- Tiredness 1,142
- Feeling lightheaded or unsteady 986
- Weakness 933
- Tiredness 3,949
- Trouble getting an erection 3,933
- Feeling sad or hopeless 3,499
- Feeling worried or nervous 2,966
- The medicine is not working 2,533
This medicine can cause dizziness or fainting, so be careful to avoid falls or injuries. Do not take this medicine with other alpha-blockers, as this can lower your blood pressure too much. This medicine can affect PSA levels, which are used to screen for prostate cancer. Tell your doctor you are taking this medicine before any PSA tests. This medicine may increase the risk of high-grade prostate cancer. Pregnant women should not handle this medicine.
Finasteride is not for use in women. Pregnant women should not handle crushed or broken tablets because it can cause birth defects in a male fetus. Finasteride can lower your PSA levels, which could hide prostate cancer. This drug may also increase the risk of a more serious form of prostate cancer.
This medicine is not for use in women. It can cause birth defects in a male fetus if a pregnant woman is exposed to it. Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should not handle these capsules.
Finasteride is not for use in women, especially during pregnancy. It can cause birth defects in a male fetus. If a pregnant woman comes into contact with crushed or broken tablets, wash the area with soap and water.
How to Read This dutasteride vs finasteride Comparison
dutasteride is classified in the 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor drug class, while finasteride sits within the 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. 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, dutasteride has 5,696 submissions while finasteride has 16,880. 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 dutasteride and finasteride — 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.