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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

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

  • Summary of Flomax vs. Proscar

    Summary for Alpha-1 blocker
    Prescription only

    Tamsulosin (Flomax) is a commonly prescribed oral medication used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate. For it to work properly, you have to take it 30 minutes after the same meal each day. Also, since tamsulosin (Flomax) has a lot of interactions, you'll need to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you start any new medications.

    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, 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
    •Considered a first-choice treatment option for BPH
    •Oral medication that you only have to take once a day
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Less likely to cause a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, compared to similar medications
    Cons
    •Only treats the symptoms of an enlarged prostate rather than affect the growth of the prostate
    •Needs to be taken at the same time every day 30 minutes after a meal
    •Can have negative side effects on your sexual health
    •Though rare, maybe not 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%)
    •Dizziness (15-17%)
    •Stuffy nose (13-18%)
    •Abnormal ejaculation (8-18%)
    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
    •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

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