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Hytrin vs. Rapaflo

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

Key takeaways

Terazosin (generic, formerly branded as Hytrin) and Silodosin (generic and branded as Rapaflo) are both alpha-1 blockers used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Terazosin can also be used to treat high blood pressure, while Silodosin is only used for BPH. Terazosin is typically taken once daily at bedtime, whereas Silodosin is taken once daily with a meal. Both medications can cause dizziness and low blood pressure, especially when you stand up quickly, but Silodosin can also cause issues with ejaculation, such as having an orgasm with little or no semen. Both medications can complicate cataract surgery, including the potential for causing a condition called floppy iris syndrome. Additionally, Silodosin should not be used if you have severe kidney or liver problems, while Terazosin does not have this restriction.

Terazosin

 

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Silodosin

(Rapaflo)

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Summary for Hytrin

Prescription only

Terazosin is a medication that’s typically used to treat difficulty urinating caused by an enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH). It can also be used to treat high blood pressure, but it’s not a first-choice option for this condition due to the risk of side effects, like feeling dizzy or weak, particularly for older adults. Terazosin is taken by mouth, typically once daily at bedtime. It’s only available as a lower-cost generic (former brand name Hytrin).

Indications for Hytrin

  • Difficulty urinating caused by an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)
  • High blood pressure

Pros and Cons for Hytrin

Pros

  • Available as a lower-cost generic medication
  • Taken once a day
  • Can be taken with or without food

Cons

  • Not a first-choice option for high blood pressure
  • Can cause dizziness, especially if you stand up quickly
  • If you miss your dose for many days, you may need to restart treatment at the starting dose

Common Side Effects for Hytrin

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):

  • Dizziness (9%)
  • Weakness (7%)

High blood pressure:

  • Dizziness (19%)
  • Headache (16%)
  • Weakness (11%)

Warnings for Hytrin

  • Dangerously low blood pressure and risk of fainting
  • Painful erection (priapism)
  • Eye problems during surgery

Summary for Rapaflo

Prescription only

Silodosin (Rapaflo) is used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or having an enlarged prostate. This medication is available as a brand-name and generic version, and it comes as a capsule that you take by mouth. The dosage is typically just once daily with a meal, but it can affect your ejaculation as a side effect (for example, causing you to orgasm with less or no semen).

Indications for Rapaflo

Pros and Cons for Rapaflo

Pros

  • Helps improve symptoms of BPH
  • Once-daily dosing
  • Can open capsules and sprinkle the powder inside on applesauce if it's hard to swallow the capsules whole
  • Lower-cost generic version available

Cons

  • Has some side effects related to low blood pressure, such as dizziness
  • Can cause retrograde ejaculation (an orgasm with little or no semen), but is reversible when you stop the medication
  • Might complicate cataract surgery
  • Can't use if you have severe kidney or liver problems

Common Side Effects for Rapaflo

  • Retrograde ejaculation (orgasm with less or no semen; 28%)
  • Dizziness (3%)
  • Diarrhea (3%)
  • Drop in blood pressure when standing from a seated or lying down position (3%)

Warnings for Rapaflo

  • Low blood pressure
  • Higher risk for side effects in people with kidney problems
  • Interactions with other medications
  • Should rule out prostate cancer
  • Floppy iris syndrome (a cataract surgery complication)

Prices with our coupons for Hytrin vs. Rapaflo

Price Card Drug Icon
Terazosin90 capsules / 5mg
$22.60-
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Price Card Drug Icon
Silodosin30 capsules / 8mg
$20.91$144.15
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