Key takeaways
Terazosin and tamsulosin (Flomax) are both alpha-1 blockers used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlarged prostate. While both medications help relax muscles in the prostate and bladder to improve urine flow, they have some differences. Terazosin can also used to treat high blood pressure, but it is not a first-choice option due to side effects. Tamsulosin is specifically for BPH and is a first-choice treatment for this condition. Terazosin is taken once daily at bedtime, while tamsulosin should be taken 30 minutes after the same meal each day. Both medications are available as a lower-cost generic. Common side effects of terazosin include dizziness and weakness, while tamsulosin can cause headaches, dizziness, and abnormal ejaculation. Both medications can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, but tamsulosin is less likely to cause this than terazosin. Tamsulosin has a lot of interactions. Always be sure you prescriber and pharmacist have a complete list of your medications.
