dutasteride vs nifedipine

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Side-by-side comparison of dutasteride and nifedipine. 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

7.3 Nifedipine, Atenolol, Enalapril Tamsulosin Dosage adjustments are not necessary when tamsulosin is administered concomitantly with nifedipine, atenolol, or enalapril [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] .

Drug Class
dutasteride 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor
nifedipine Calcium Channel Blocker
Type
dutasteride Prescription
nifedipine Prescription
Summary
dutasteride

Dutasteride and tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules contain two medicines to treat enlarged prostate in men. They help improve symptoms like frequent urination.

nifedipine

Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker. It helps to relax blood vessels, which can lower blood pressure and reduce chest pain.

What It Treats
dutasteride

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.

nifedipine

This medicine treats chest pain (angina) caused by tight blood vessels. It also treats high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

How It Works
dutasteride

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.

nifedipine

Nifedipine blocks calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells. This relaxes and widens blood vessels. As a result, the heart doesn't have to work as hard, and blood pressure goes down.

Common Side Effects
dutasteride
  • Problems with ejaculation
  • Impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection)
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Dizziness
  • Breast enlargement or tenderness
nifedipine
  • Swelling, especially in the legs or ankles
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Constipation
FAERS Reports
dutasteride
  • Dyspnoea 1,233
  • Fatigue 1,142
  • Dizziness 985
  • Asthenia 933
  • Diarrhoea 896
nifedipine
  • Dyspnoea 2,429
  • Fatigue 2,304
  • Diarrhoea 2,264
  • Nausea 2,220
  • Headache 1,997
Serious Warnings
dutasteride

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.

nifedipine

In rare cases, nifedipine can cause serious gastrointestinal problems, including obstruction. If you experience severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or inability to pass stool, seek immediate medical attention.

Pregnancy
dutasteride

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.

nifedipine

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if nifedipine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This dutasteride vs nifedipine Comparison

dutasteride is classified in the 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor drug class, while nifedipine sits within the Calcium Channel Blocker 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, dutasteride has 5,189 submissions while nifedipine has 11,214. 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 these medications do not significantly change how the body processes or removes each other.. 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 or nifedipine.

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