Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Flomax vs. Proscar

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

Key takeaways

Tamsulosin (Flomax) and finasteride (Proscar) are both used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but they work in different ways. Tamsulosin is an alpha-1 blocker that relaxes the muscles in your prostate and bladder to improve urinary symptoms. You need to take it 30 minutes after the same meal each day. On the other hand, finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that shrinks the prostate by lowering the levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It can take up to 6 months to see the full effects of finasteride. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics. Tamsulosin can cause dizziness and abnormal ejaculation, whereas finasteride might lead to sexual side effects like the inability to have an erection and lower sex drive. Additionally, finasteride requires regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests to monitor for prostate cancer.

drug combination

See more from our pharmacists

  • Tamsulosin
    Finasteride (Proscar)
  • Tamsulosin
    Finasteride (Proscar)

  • Summary of Flomax vs. Proscar

    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.

    Summary for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Finasteride (Proscar) is a medication used alone or with doxazosin (Cardura) to treat men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It’s typically recommended for those with an enlarged prostate who also have symptoms, such as problems urinating. But it can take up to 6 months to work. Luckily, the medication comes as a lower-cost generic option.

  • Indications of Flomax vs. Proscar

    Indications for
    •Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)
    Indications for

    Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

    •Relieves urinary symptoms
    •Lessens the need for prostate surgery

  • Pros and Cons of Flomax vs. Proscar

    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
    Pros and Const for 5-alpha reductase inhibitor
    Pros
    •Works to relieve symptoms in people with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
    •Doesn’t interact with many medications
    •Can be used in people who have kidney problems
    Cons
    •Some men might have sexual side effects like inability to have an erection
    •Typically used as a long-term therapy
    •Requires regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests

  • Common Side Effects of Flomax vs. Proscar

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (19-21%)
    •Stuffy nose (13-18%)
    •Abnormal ejaculation (8-18%)
    •Dizziness (15-17%)
    •Infection (9-11%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Finasteride (Proscar) daily treatment by itself:

    •Inability to have an erection (5-8%)
    •Lower sex drive (3-6%)
    •Decrease in ejaculation amount (2-4%)

    Finasteride (Proscar) taken with doxazosin (Cardura)*:

    •Dizziness (23%)
    •Inability to have an erection (23%)
    •Low blood pressure when getting up (18%)
    •Feeling tired (17%)
    •Abnormal ejaculation (14%)
    •Lower sex drive (12%)

    *Since both finasteride (Proscar) and doxazosin (Cardura) were both taken daily, side effects might not be entirely due to finasteride (Proscar).

  • Warnings of Flomax vs. Proscar

    Common Side Effects for
    •Sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing
    •Interactions with other medications
    •Prolonged and painful erection
    •Eye problems
    •Severe allergic reactions
    Common Side Effects for
    •Harm to unborn baby
    •Lowered prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels
    •High-risk prostate cancer

  • Prices with our coupons for Flomax vs. Proscar

    Learn more about Tamsulosin
    Learn more about Finasteride

Compare other Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia drugs

Flomax vs AvodartFlomax vs CarduraFlomax vs CialisFlomax vs ProscarFlomax vs RapafloFlomax vs UroxatralGemtesa vs FlomaxJalyn vs FlomaxMyrbetriq vs FlomaxOxybutynin vs FlomaxAdcirca vs CialisAldactone vs ProscarCardura vs JalynCialis vs LevitraCialis vs StendraCialis vs ViagraEnablex vs OxybutyninLasix vs ProscarMyrbetriq vs OxybutyninOxybutynin vs DetrolOxybutynin vs GemtesaOxybutynin vs SancturaOxybutynin vs ToviazOxybutynin vs VesicarePropranolol vs OxybutyninProscar vs CarduraProscar vs HytrinProscar vs JalynTopamax vs OxybutyninViagra vs Cialis
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.