Finasteride vs. Tamsulosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Finasteride

(Propecia)

Tamsulosin

Summary for Finasteride

Prescription only

Finasteride (brand name Propecia) is a prescription medication used to treat male pattern baldness in adult men. It works by lowering levels of a hormone in your body that's linked to hair loss. You take it by mouth once a day, with or without food. Common side effects can include sexual problems, such as a lower sex drive, trouble getting or keeping an erection, or less semen during ejaculation.

Note: Finasteride (Propecia) is different from finasteride (Proscar) used to treat enlarged prostate.

Indications for Finasteride

Male pattern baldness

Pros and Cons for Finasteride

Pros

FDA approved specifically for male pattern hair loss
Taken by mouth once per day
Can slow hair loss and support regrowth

Cons

Takes 3 months or longer to see the full benefits
Hair loss typically returns if stopped
Might cause sexual side effects

Common Side Effects for Finasteride

Lower sex drive (2%)
Erectile dysfunction (1%)
Ejaculation problems (1%)

Warnings for Finasteride

Harm to unborn baby boy
Changes to prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels
Risk of prostate cancer

Summary for Tamsulosin

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 for Tamsulosin

Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)

Pros and Cons for Tamsulosin

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