{"id":55370,"date":"2022-11-17T16:20:20","date_gmt":"2022-11-17T21:20:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=55370"},"modified":"2026-02-24T14:31:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T19:31:06","slug":"tamsulosin-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/tamsulosin-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Tamsulosin alternatives: What can I take instead of tamsulosin?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tamsulosin<\/span><\/a>, also known by the brand-name Flomax, is a prescription medicine approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of <\/span>benign prostatic hyperplasia<\/span><\/a> (BPH). Tamsulosin comes in a 0.4 mg capsule and should be taken once daily, approximately one-half hour following the same meal each day. The <\/span>dose<\/span><\/a> may be increased to 0.8 mg (two 0.4 mg capsules) once daily for those who fail to respond to the 0.4 mg dose after two to four weeks of dosing. <\/span>Adverse effects<\/span> common to tamsulosin include dizziness, fatigue, fainting, vertigo, headache, nasal congestion, erectile dysfunction, postural hypotension (low blood pressure when changing position), and retrograde ejaculation.<\/span><\/p>\n

BPH, also known as an enlarged prostate gland, is a condition commonly found in men as they get older. The main symptom of the enlarged prostate gland is blockage of the bladder causing uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as urine flow interruption, incontinence, or urinary tract infections. Tamsulosin is in a class of medicines known as <\/span>alpha blockers<\/span><\/a>. These medications relax muscles in the bladder and in the prostate gland making urination easier.<\/span><\/p>\n

While tamsulosin is an effective treatment for many, it may not be the best option for all men who have BPH. For various reasons, such as cost, side effect profile, or hypersensitivity to the active or inactive ingredients, an alternative BPH treatment may be necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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Save up to 80% on Tamsulosin with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tTamsulosin 0.4 mg (30 Capsules)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$9.38\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$9.38\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Tamsulosin prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

What can I take in place of tamsulosin?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Different treatment options are available that can be used as alternatives to tamsulosin. There are other alpha blockers that are FDA approved to treat BPH: <\/span>Cardura <\/span><\/a>(doxazosin), Hytrin (<\/span>terazosin<\/span><\/a>), Uroxatral (alfuzosin), and Rapaflo (silodosin). There are two other drug classes FDA approved to treat BPH\u20135-alpha reductase inhibitors and phosphodiesterase inhibitors.<\/span><\/p>\n

5-alpha reductase inhibitors<\/span><\/a> work by shrinking the prostate gland by preventing hormonal changes that cause prostate growth. These medications include Proscar (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride) and are most effective in men with large prostate glands, unlike alpha blockers, which work best on smaller glands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors, such as <\/span>Cialis<\/span><\/a> (tadalafil) and <\/span>Viagra<\/span><\/a> (sildenafil), were originally developed for treating <\/span>erectile dysfunction<\/span><\/a> (ED). Cialis was found also to be effective in treating the urinary symptoms of BPH by relaxing muscle cells in the bladder and prostate and has been FDA approved to treat urinary symptoms of BPH.<\/span><\/p>\n

If a single medication alone is not effective, combination drug therapy may be tried. Your prescribing healthcare provider might recommend combining an alpha blocker with a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor to relieve BPH symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

BPH can be a frustrating condition, but fortunately, there are many different medications other than tamsulosin that have proven effective in treating it. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the BPH medicine that is the best fit for your health, lifestyle, and medical history. The table below highlights the most common alternatives to tamsulosin.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare tamsulosin alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nSavings options<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Avodart (dutasteride)<\/span><\/td>\nTreatment of symptomatic BPH<\/span><\/td>\nOne 0.5 mg capsule daily<\/span><\/td>\nAvodart coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dutasteride<\/span><\/td>\nDutasteride coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cardura (doxazosin)\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nTreatment of the urinary outflow obstruction and obstructive and irritative symptoms associated with BPH<\/span><\/td>\nOne 1 mg tablet daily; may increase to 2 mg, then 4 mg, then 8 mg daily in intervals of 1-2 weeks<\/span><\/td>\nCardura coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Doxazosin<\/span><\/td>\nDoxazosin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cialis (tadalafil)<\/span><\/td>\nTreatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH<\/span><\/td>\nOne 5 mg tablet daily<\/span><\/td>\nCialis coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tadalafil<\/span><\/td>\nTadalafil coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flomax (tamsulosin)<\/span><\/td>\nTreatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH<\/span><\/td>\nOne 0.4 mg capsule daily; may increase to 0.8 mg once daily for patients who fail to respond to the 0.4 mg dose after 2 to 4 weeks of dosing<\/span><\/td>\nFlomax coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tamsulosin<\/span><\/td>\nTamsulosin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Proscar (finasteride)<\/span><\/td>\nTreatment of symptomatic BPH in men<\/span><\/p>\n

with an enlarged prostate\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n

One 5 mg tablet daily<\/span><\/td>\nProscar coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Finasteride<\/span><\/td>\nFinasteride coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rapaflo (silodosin)\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\nTreatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH<\/span><\/td>\nOne 8 mg capsule daily<\/span><\/td>\nRapaflo coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Silodosin<\/span><\/td>\nSilodosin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Terazosin<\/span><\/td>\nTreatment of symptomatic BPH<\/span><\/td>\nOne 1 mg tablet daily; may increase to 2 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg once daily in stepwise fashion<\/span><\/td>\nTerazosin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Uroxatral (alfuzosin)<\/span><\/td>\nTreatment of signs and symptoms of BPH<\/span><\/td>\nOne 10 mg tablet daily<\/span><\/td>\nUroxatral coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alfuzosin<\/span><\/td>\nAlfuzosin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Surgical alternatives to tamsulosin<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are alternatives to drug treatment for BPH, particularly if the prostate size causes more severe problems. These alternatives include the following minor surgical procedures typically performed by a urologist:<\/span><\/p>\n