Key takeaways
Proscar (finasteride) and Jalyn (dutasteride/tamsulosin) are both used to treat symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but they work in different ways. Proscar is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that lowers the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in your body, which helps shrink the prostate. Jalyn combines two medications: dutasteride, another 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, and tamsulosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker that relaxes the muscles around your bladder and prostate to improve urine flow. Proscar is typically taken alone or with doxazosin, while Jalyn combines its two active ingredients into one capsule. Proscar can take up to 6 months to show effects, whereas Jalyn may start working in about 3 months. Both medications can cause sexual side effects, but Jalyn also has a risk of causing a sudden drop in blood pressure when you stand up. Additionally, Jalyn can interact with more medications compared to Proscar. Both medications are available in lower-cost generic forms.
