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Compare Finasteride vs. Tamsulosin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

  • Finasteride (Propecia)
    Tamsulosin
  • Finasteride (Propecia)
    Tamsulosin

  • Summary of Finasteride vs. Tamsulosin

    Summary for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Finasteride 1 mg (also known by its brand name Propecia) is used to prevent and treat hair loss. It isn't the same as finasteride 5 mg (brand name Proscar), which is used for enlarged prostate. Finasteride (Propecia) is taken by mouth once per day and is available by prescription only. Side effects aren't common, but typically include sexual problems (e.g., low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, lower ejaculation volume).

    Summary for Alpha-1 blocker
    Prescription only

    Tamsulosin is an alpha-1 blocker used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate. It works by relaxing the muscles in your prostate and bladder, making it easier to urinate. The medication comes as a capsule that you take once a day, usually 30 minutes after the same meal each day. Side effects include headache, dizziness, and abnormal ejaculation.

  • Indications of Finasteride vs. Tamsulosin

    Indications for
    •Male pattern baldness due to hormones (androgenetic alopecia) in adults
    Indications for
    •Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)

  • Pros and Cons of Finasteride vs. Tamsulosin

    Pros and Const for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Pros
    •Works well to grow hair in males who are balding
    •Taken by mouth once per day
    •Doesn't have a lot of side effects
    Cons
    •Not a cure; hair loss will come back after stopping finasteride (Propecia)
    •Takes 3 months or longer to see the full benefits
    •Can cause sexual problems (e.g., lower sex drive, difficulty keeping an erection, low ejaculation volume)
    Pros and Const for Alpha-1 blocker
    Pros
    •Is a first-choice treatment option for BPH
    •Taken by mouth once a day
    •Typically starts to work right away
    •Less likely to cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when changing positions compared to similar medications
    Cons
    •Relieves symptoms of an enlarged prostate but doesn’t affect prostate growth
    •Needs to be taken once a day, 30 minutes after the same meal
    •Can have negative side effects on your sexual health
    •Might not be the best option for people with a sulfa allergy

  • Common Side Effects of Finasteride vs. Tamsulosin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Lower sex drive (2%)
    •Erectile dysfunction (1%)
    •Ejaculation problems (1%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (19-21%)
    •Stuffy nose (13-18%)
    •Abnormal ejaculation (8-18%)
    •Dizziness (15-17%)
    •Infection (9-11%)

  • Warnings of Finasteride vs. Tamsulosin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Risk of harm to babies
    •Changes to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing
    •Interactions with other medications
    •Prolonged and painful erection
    •Eye problems
    •Severe allergic reactions

  • Prices with our coupons for Finasteride vs. Tamsulosin

    Learn more about Finasteride
    Learn more about Tamsulosin

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