Key takeaways
Doxazosin (Cardura) and dutasteride / tamsulosin (Jalyn) are both medications used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, they belong to different medication classes and have distinct mechanisms of action. Doxazosin is an alpha-1 blocker that helps relax muscles in the prostate and bladder, while Jalyn combines a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (dutasteride) and an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker (tamsulosin) to reduce prostate size and relax muscles. Doxazosin is also FDA-approved to treat high blood pressure, but Jalyn is not. Doxazosin is available in immediate-release and extended-release forms, typically taken once a day, while Jalyn is taken as a single capsule daily. Common side effects of doxazosin include dizziness and fatigue, whereas Jalyn may also cause ejaculation problems and a lower sex drive. Both medications can cause a drop in blood pressure upon standing, but Jalyn has additional warnings related to prostate cancer risk.
