Key takeaways
Tamsulosin (Flomax) and alfuzosin (Uroxatral) are both medications used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but they have some differences. Tamsulosin is an alpha-1 blocker that you need to take 30 minutes after the same meal each day, while alfuzosin is an extended-release alpha-1 blocker that you take right after the same meal each day. Tamsulosin is available as a lower-cost generic, and alfuzosin also comes in a generic form. Both medications can cause dizziness and headaches, but tamsulosin is more likely to cause abnormal ejaculation. Alfuzosin should not be used by people with moderate to severe liver problems, while tamsulosin has a warning for people with sulfa allergies. Both medications can cause a drop in blood pressure when standing up, so you need to be careful when changing positions.
