Flomax vs. Avodart

• Are Avodart and Flomax the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Flomax?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Avodart?
• What Is Flomax?
• What Is Avodart?
• What Drugs Interact with Flomax?
• What Drugs Interact with Avodart?
• How Should Flomax Be Taken?
• How Should Avodart Be Taken?

Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) and Avodart (dutasteride) are used to treat the symptoms of a prostate gland condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland).

Flomax and Avodart belong to different drug classes. Flomax is an alpha-blocker and Avodart is a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound.

Flomax and Avodart are sometimes given together.

Common side effects of Flomax include:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• weakness,
• drowsiness,
• headache,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• back pain,
• blurred vision,
• dental problems,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• abnormal ejaculation,
• decreased sex drive,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• sore throat, or
• cough.

Common side effects of Avodart include:

• sexual problems (such as decreased sexual interest/ability, decrease in the amount of semen/sperm released during sex),
• impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection),
• testicle pain or swelling,
• increased breast size, or
• breast tenderness

Flomax (tamsulosin hydrochloride) is an alpha-blocker used to treat the symptoms of a prostate gland condition called BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia).

Avodart (dutasteride) is a synthetic 4-azasteroid compound that is a selective inhibitor of both the type 1 and type 2 isoforms of steroid 5 alpha-reductase used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. Avodart helps improve urinary flow and may also reduce the need for prostate surgery later. Avodart is sometimes given with another medication called tamsulosin (Flomax). Avodart prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. Avodart may be available in generic form.

Flomax may interact with conivaptan, imatinib, isoniazid, antibiotics, antidepressants, antifungals, heart or blood pressure medications, or HIV/AIDS medicines.

Flomax may also interact with cimetidine, cyclosporine, methimazole, pioglitazone, ropinirole, ticlopidine, warfarin, anti-malaria medications, erectile dysfunction medicines, heart rhythm medications, or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Avodart may interact with conivaptan, imatinib, isoniazid, antibiotics, antidepressants, antifungals, heart or blood pressure medications, or HIV/AIDS medicines.

Flomax capsules 0.4 mg once daily is recommended as the dose for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH and dosing should be taken by mouth, usually once daily.

• Take the first dose at bedtime to minimize the chances of getting dizzy or fainting.
• After the first dose, take your regularly scheduled dose 30 minutes after the same meal each day.
• Drug interaction and warnings include that Flomax capsules should not be used in combination with other alpha andrenergic blocking agents.
• It should not be used in combination with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole).

Flomax capsules 0.4 mg once daily is recommended as the dose for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH and dosing should be taken by mouth, usually once daily.

• Take the first dose at bedtime to minimize the chances of getting dizzy or fainting.
• After the first dose, take your regularly scheduled dose 30 minutes after the same meal each day.
• Drug interaction and warnings include that Flomax capsules should not be used in combination with other alpha andrenergic blocking agents.
• It should not be used in combination with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole).

The recommended dose of Avodart is 1 capsule (0.5 mg) taken once daily.