Two medicines, side by side
Dutasteride vs tamsulosin
Dutasteride and tamsulosin are both labeled for enlarged prostate (bph). Drugs@FDA records approvals of dutasteride since 2001 and of tamsulosin since 1997. Pharmacies paid $0.157 per dutasteride 0.5 mg capsule and $0.05 per tamsulosin HCl 0.4 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, dutasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and tamsulosin an alpha-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the dutasteride FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 11, 2025); the tamsulosin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 1, 2025).
Highlights of the dutasteride record
Dutasteride (Avodart) · label of September 11, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsDutasteride capsules are a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate to: ( 1.1 ) improve symptoms, reduce the risk of acute urinary retention, and reduce the risk of the need for BPH-related surgery. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 20, 2001
- Generic labelers
- 13 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.157 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the tamsulosin record
Tamsulosin (Flomax) · label of December 1, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules are not indicated for the treatment of hypertension. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 15, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.05 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Dutasteride label of September 11, 2025, Tamsulosin label of December 1, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do dutasteride and tamsulosin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, dutasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and tamsulosin an alpha-adrenergic blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Dutasteride, “Dutasteride inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT.”; Tamsulosin, “The symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are related to bladder outlet obstruction, which is comprised of two underlying components: static and dynamic.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Dutasteride, “In this single-dose trial, dutasteride half-life increased with age (approximately 170 hours in men aged 20 to 49 …”; Tamsulosin, “Following intravenous or oral administration of an immediate-release formulation, the elimination half-life of …”
Generics: dutasteride since 2010; tamsulosin since 2010 (Drugs@FDA).
| Dutasteride | Tamsulosin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Enlarged prostate (BPH) | Enlarged prostate (BPH) |
| Pharmacologic class | 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitor | alpha-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Dutasteride inhibits the conversion of testosterone to DHT. DHT is the androgen primarily responsible for the initial development and subsequent enlargement of the prostate gland. | The symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are related to bladder outlet obstruction, which is comprised of two underlying components: static and dynamic. |
| Half-life (label) | In this single-dose trial, dutasteride half-life increased with age (approximately 170 hours in men aged 20 to 49 years, approximately 260 hours in men aged 50 to 69 years, and approximately 300 hours in men older than … | Following intravenous or oral administration of an immediate-release formulation, the elimination half-life of tamsulosin hydrochloride in plasma ranged from 5 to 7 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 20, 2001 | April 15, 1997 |
| First generic approved | December 21, 2010 | March 2, 2010 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 13 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.157 per capsule (Dutasteride 0.5 mg capsule) | $0.05 per capsule (Tamsulosin HCl 0.4 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 8,084 | 20,287 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
Do their labels mention each other?
Dutasteride label, drug interactionsThe administration of dutasteride in combination with tamsulosin or terazosin has no effect on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of either alpha-adrenergic antagonist.
Dutasteride label, warnings and precautionsCoadministration of dutasteride and tamsulosin resulted in similar changes to serum PSA as dutasteride monotherapy.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to dutasteride
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions