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Flomax vs. Propecia

Are Flomax and Propecia the Same Thing?

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

Propecia is also used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men only.

Flomax and Propecia belong to different drug classes. Flomax is an alpha-blocker and Propecia is a 5a-reductase inhibitor.

Side effects of Flomax and Propecia that are similar include dizziness, lightheadedness/feeling like you might pass out, weakness, headache, abnormal ejaculation, decreased sex drive, and runny or stuffy nose.

Side effects of Flomax that are different from Propecia include drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, back pain, blurred vision, dental problems, sleep problems (insomnia), sore throat, and cough.

Side effects of Propecia that are different from Flomax include impotence, trouble having an orgasm, swelling in your hands or feet, swelling or tenderness in your breasts, and skin rash.

Flomax may interact with cimetidine, conivaptan, cyclosporine, imatinib, isoniazid, methimazole, pioglitazone, ropinirole, ticlopidine, warfarin, antibiotics, antidepressants, antifungals, anti-malaria medications, erectile dysfunction medicines, heart or blood pressure medications, heart rhythm medications, HIV/AIDS medicines, and medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Propecia may interact with other drugs.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Flomax?

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.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Propecia?

Common side effects of Propecia include:

  • impotence,
  • loss of interest in sex,
  • trouble having an orgasm,
  • abnormal ejaculation,
  • swelling in your hands or feet,
  • swelling or tenderness in your breasts,
  • dizziness,
  • weakness,
  • feeling like you might pass out,
  • headache,
  • runny nose, or
  • skin rash.

What Is Flomax?

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

What Is Propecia?

Propecia (finasteride) is a 5a-reductase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in men only. Propecia is available in generic form.

 

What Drugs Interact With Flomax?

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.

What Drugs Interact With Propecia?

Propecia may interact with other drugs.

 

How Should Flomax Be Taken?

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).

How Should Propecia Be Taken?

Propecia is available in strength of 1 mg tablets; the recommended dose of Propecia is one tablet (1mg) taken once daily. In general daily use for three months is necessary before benefit is observed. Withdrawl of treatment leads to reversal of effect within 12 months.