Key takeaways
Tamsulosin (Flomax) and doxazosin (Cardura) are both alpha-1 blockers used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but they have some differences. Tamsulosin is specifically for BPH and must be taken 30 minutes after the same meal each day, while doxazosin can also treat high blood pressure and is taken once daily, with the extended-release version (Cardura XL) taken with breakfast. Tamsulosin is considered a first-choice treatment for BPH, whereas doxazosin is not a first-choice for high blood pressure. Both medications can cause dizziness and low blood pressure, but tamsulosin is less likely to cause a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing. Additionally, tamsulosin may affect sexual health, causing abnormal ejaculation, while doxazosin is less likely to cause erectile dysfunction. Both medications are available in lower-cost generic forms.
