Key takeaways
Tamsulosin (Flomax) and tadalafil (Cialis) are both used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but they work differently and have other uses as well. Tamsulosin is an alpha-1 blocker that relaxes muscles in the prostate and bladder to improve urination. It is taken once daily, 30 minutes after the same meal. Tadalafil, on the other hand, is a PDE-5 inhibitor that not only treats BPH but also erectile dysfunction (ED). It can be taken either as needed before sexual activity or once daily. Tadalafil can be taken with or without food, while tamsulosin must be taken after a meal. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics. Both medications can cause dizziness and have interactions with other drugs, but tadalafil has additional risks like vision changes and hearing loss.
