dutasteride vs tamsulosin
Side-by-side comparison of dutasteride and tamsulosin. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS There have been no drug interaction trials using dutasteride and tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules. Because of the potential for drug-drug interactions, use caution when prescribing a dutasteride-containing product, including dutasteride and tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules, to patients taking potent, chronic CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir) [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] . Tamsulosin Strong and Moderate Inhibitors of CYP3A4 or CYP2D6: Tamsulosin is extensively metabolized, mainly by CYP3A4 or CYP2D6.
Recommendation: Your doctor should use caution and monitor you closely if you are taking both of these medications.
Avodart
Flomax
Dutasteride and tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules contain two medicines to treat enlarged prostate in men. They help improve symptoms like frequent urination.
Tamsulosin (Flomax) helps to improve urination in men with enlarged prostate glands. It relaxes the muscles in the prostate and bladder, making it easier to urinate.
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.
This medicine treats the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH can cause problems with urination, like difficulty starting or stopping the flow of urine. Tamsulosin helps to relieve these symptoms.
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.
Tamsulosin blocks alpha-1 adrenoceptors in the prostate and bladder. These receptors control muscle tightness. By blocking them, tamsulosin relaxes the muscles, which improves urine flow.
- • Problems with ejaculation
- • Impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection)
- • Decreased sex drive
- • Dizziness
- • Breast enlargement or tenderness
- • Headache
- • Dizziness
- • Runny nose
- • Infection
- • Abnormal ejaculation
- Difficulty breathing 1,233
- Tiredness 1,142
- Feeling lightheaded or unsteady 986
- Weakness 933
- Loose stools 897
- Tiredness 1,417
- Shortness of breath 1,332
- Feeling lightheaded 1,131
- Loose stools 1,121
- Head pain 883
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.
Tamsulosin can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up, leading to dizziness or fainting. Avoid situations where you could get hurt if you faint. Tell your eye doctor if you are planning to have cataract or glaucoma surgery, as tamsulosin can cause complications during the procedure. You should be screened for prostate cancer before starting tamsulosin and regularly after.
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.
This medicine is only for men. It is not meant to be used by women. There is no information about the safety of tamsulosin during pregnancy or breastfeeding because it is not used in women.
Also Compare, Nearby Drugs
Compare dutasteride with
Compare tamsulosin with
How to Read This dutasteride vs tamsulosin Comparison
dutasteride is classified in the 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor drug class, while tamsulosin sits within the Alpha-1 Adrenergic 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 5,191 submissions while tamsulosin has 5,884. 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 moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to these drugs are processed by the same system in your liver, which could change the amount of medicine that stays 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 tamsulosin - 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.