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dutasteride vs paroxetine

Side-by-side comparison of dutasteride and paroxetine. 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 paroxetine (a strong inhibitor of CYP2D6) resulted in increases in the C max and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of tamsulosin by factors of 1.3 and 1.6, respectively.

Recommendation: Your doctor may need to monitor you for side effects or change your dose.

Drug Class
dutasteride 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor
paroxetine Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
Type
dutasteride Prescription
paroxetine Prescription
Summary
dutasteride

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

paroxetine

Paroxetine (Paxil) is a medicine that can help treat depression and anxiety disorders. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

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.

paroxetine

Paroxetine is used to treat several conditions in adults. These include major depressive disorder (MDD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder (PD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It helps to improve mood and reduce anxiety and panic feelings.

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.

paroxetine

Paroxetine works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a natural substance that helps regulate mood. By increasing serotonin levels, paroxetine can help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Common Side Effects
dutasteride
  • Problems with ejaculation
  • Impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection)
  • Decreased sex drive
  • Dizziness
  • Breast enlargement or tenderness
paroxetine
  • Abnormal ejaculation
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Constipation
  • Decreased appetite
  • Diarrhea
FAERS Reports
dutasteride
  • Difficulty breathing 1,233
  • Tiredness 1,142
  • Feeling lightheaded or unsteady 986
  • Weakness 933
  • Loose stools 897
paroxetine
  • Reaction with another medicine 1,825
  • Tiredness 1,821
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 1,738
  • Harmful effect from different substances 1,579
  • Worry or nervousness 1,476
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.

paroxetine

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in young adults. Your doctor will monitor you closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Paroxetine is not approved for use in children.

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.

paroxetine

Paroxetine may cause harm to your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking paroxetine later in pregnancy may cause problems for the newborn.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This dutasteride vs paroxetine Comparison

dutasteride is classified in the 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor drug class, while paroxetine sits within the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) 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 5,191 submissions while paroxetine has 8,439. 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 paroxetine stops the body from breaking down the medication properly, which can lead to higher amounts of the drug in your blood.. 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 paroxetine - 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.