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Compare Proscar vs. Hytrin

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

Key takeaways

Proscar (finasteride) and terazosin are both used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but they work differently and have different uses. Proscar is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that helps shrink the prostate by lowering levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that causes prostate growth. It can take up to 6 months to see improvement with Proscar. Terazosin, on the other hand, is an alpha-1 blocker that relaxes muscles in the prostate and bladder to improve urine flow, and it can start working within 2 to 4 weeks. Terazosin is also used to treat high blood pressure, though it's not a first-choice option due to side effects like dizziness. Proscar is typically taken once daily, and it’s important for pregnant women to avoid handling crushed tablets due to potential harm to an unborn baby. Terazosin is also taken once daily, usually at bedtime to reduce the risk of dizziness and falls. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics.

  • Finasteride (Proscar)
    Terazosin
  • Finasteride (Proscar)
    Terazosin

  • Summary of Proscar vs. Hytrin

    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.

    Summary for Alpha-1 blocker
    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 of Proscar vs. Hytrin

    Indications for

    Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

    •Relieves urinary symptoms
    •Lessens the need for prostate surgery
    Indications for
    •Difficulty urinating caused by an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)
    •High blood pressure

  • Pros and Cons of Proscar vs. Hytrin

    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
    Pros and Const for Alpha-1 blocker
    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 of Proscar vs. Hytrin

    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).

    Common Side Effects for

    Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):

    •Dizziness (9%)
    •Weakness (7%)

    High blood pressure:

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

  • Warnings of Proscar vs. Hytrin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Harm to unborn baby
    •Lowered prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels
    •High-risk prostate cancer
    Common Side Effects for
    •Dangerously low blood pressure and risk of fainting
    •Painful erection (priapism)
    •Eye problems during surgery

  • Prices with our coupons for Proscar vs. Hytrin

    Learn more about Finasteride
    Learn more about Terazosin

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