tamsulosin vs terbinafine
Side-by-side comparison of tamsulosin and terbinafine. 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
Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules should be used with caution in combination with moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., erythromycin), in combination with strong (e.g., paroxetine) or moderate (e.g., terbinafine) inhibitors of CYP2D6, or in patients known to be CYP2D6 poor metabolizers, particularly at a dose higher than 0.4 mg (e.g., 0.8 mg). The effects of concomitant administration of a moderate CYP2D6 inhibitor (e.g., terbinafine) on the pharmacokinetics of tamsulosin hydrochloride have not been evaluated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Recommendation: Use this combination with caution. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose, especially if you are taking more than 0.4 mg of tamsulosin.
Flomax
Lamisil
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.
Terbinafine is an antifungal medicine. It is used to treat fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails.
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.
Terbinafine treats onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails. Before you start taking this medicine, your doctor should take a nail sample. This is to make sure the infection is caused by a fungus.
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.
Terbinafine belongs to a class of medicines called allylamine antifungals. It works by stopping the growth of fungi. This eventually kills the fungus causing the infection.
- • Headache
- • Dizziness
- • Runny nose
- • Infection
- • Abnormal ejaculation
- • Headache
- • Diarrhea
- • Rash
- • Upset stomach
- • Abnormal liver enzyme tests
- Tiredness 1,417
- Shortness of breath 1,332
- Feeling lightheaded 1,131
- Loose stools 1,121
- Head pain 883
- Skin rash 391
- Itching 316
- Tiredness 300
- Feeling sick to your stomach 280
- Loss of taste 270
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.
Terbinafine can cause liver problems, including liver failure. Your doctor should check your liver before you start taking it and regularly while you are taking it. Tell your doctor right away if you have nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, vomiting, pain in your upper right belly area, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or pale stools. If you have taste changes, stop taking terbinafine. These changes can be severe, long-lasting, or even permanent. Tell your doctor if you feel depressed or have other mood changes.
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.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if terbinafine will harm your unborn baby. Terbinafine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking this medicine.
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How to Read This tamsulosin vs terbinafine Comparison
tamsulosin is classified in the Alpha-1 Adrenergic Blocker drug class, while terbinafine sits within the Allylamine Antifungal 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, tamsulosin has 5,884 submissions while terbinafine has 1,557. 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 terbinafine slows down the body's ability to break down tamsulosin by blocking a specific liver enzyme. this can lead to higher levels of tamsulosin 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 tamsulosin and terbinafine - 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.