BPH Medication Comparison: Flomax vs Alternatives
speciality medications
The condition known as “benign prostatic hyperplasia” or BPH is also more colloquially called “an enlarged prostate.”
It’s a frustrating condition to deal with. The urinary symptoms associated with BPH are hugely disruptive to both sleep and the ins and outs of daily life.
Fortunately, there are medications, like Flomax (or tamsulosin), that can help the millions of men who have BPH urinate more comfortably and easily.
But Flomax isn’t perfect.
While taking Flomax, some men experience side effects like dizziness or sexual dysfunction. Others find their symptoms only partially relieved.
That’s where Flomax alternatives come in, from options like finasteride and Uroxatral to natural supplements like saw palmetto.
Which is best for you? Are any of them (actually) any good? Do they have side effects?
Here are the answers to all of those questions (and more!).
What Is Flomax (Tamsulosin)?
Before discussing Flomax alternatives, let’s talk about Flomax itself.
Flomax, and its primary active ingredient “tamsulosin,” is one of the most widely prescribed medications for enlarged prostate symptoms.
It belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-1 blockers, which work by relaxing the muscles around the bladder neck and prostate.
When those muscles are relaxed, it’s generally easier to start urination.
That can lead to several benefits associated with taking Flomax, which include:
- Reduced urgency and frequency in terms of urination;
- Fewer episodes of nighttime urination, or nocturia; and
- Reduced difficulty associated with both starting and maintaining urine flow.
Like all powerful prescription medications, Flomax does come with some risk of side effects.
The possible side effects associated with Flomax include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness (especially when standing up quickly).
- Fatigue or nasal congestion.
- Retrograde ejaculation (a harmless but bothersome side effect where semen flows backward into the bladder).
- Mild headache or stuffy nose.
These side effects should be minimal, and, importantly, they should go away with time, as your body gets used to the drug.
That said, Flomax may not be the best option for absolutely everyone.
If you have blood pressure issues or don’t want to deal with any of Flomax’s side effects, for example, it may be worth considering Flomax alternatives.
You can buy brand-name Flomax for about $1.70 per tablet right here through NorthWestPharmacy.com and the generic for much less.
Why Consider Alternatives to Flomax?
There are quite a few reasons why you might consider medications other than Flomax to treat your BPH.
Some of those reasons may be completely unique to you.
Others may include:
Flomax’s laundry list of potential side effects. While Flomax is safe for most people in most situations and its side effects should go away with time, some patients do experience more severe side effects or don’t want to risk it with Flomax’s specific side effects at all.
Sometimes, Flomax offers limited relief. Flomax relaxes muscles, true, but it doesn’t actually reduce prostate size, so some symptoms may persist.
Sometimes, Flomax works better as a combination therapy. Doctors often pair Flomax with other drugs (like finasteride) for a greater effect.
That may work for some patients, and less so for others.
And Flomax does come with cost considerations. Generic tamsulosin can be affordable but is sometimes hard to find.
Brand-name Flomax can be costly. If you’re buying your medication from a brick-and-mortar corner pharmacy, your costs could add up quickly.
(That’s where a Canadian internet pharmacy and international drugs website can be helpful, but more on that in a moment.)
If Flomax doesn’t seem like it’s for you, you do have other options.
Several effective prescription alternatives exist, each with its own mechanism of action, benefits, and potential downsides.
Flomax vs Finasteride: Relaxation vs Reduction
Flomax and finasteride both target BPH symptoms.
However, they do so in different ways.
While Flomax helps relieve urinary obstruction by relaxing the prostate muscles, finasteride – and its branded version, Proscar – works at a hormonal level to actually shrink the prostate itself.
Here’s Exactly How Finasteride Works
Finasteride (and its branded version, Proscar) belongs to a class of drugs called 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
These drugs prevent the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), one of the hormones responsible for prostate enlargement.
By lowering DHT levels, finasteride gradually reduces prostate size and prevents further growth.
How Do Flomax and Finasteride Compare?
Here’s a quick rundown of the ways the two medications differ.
Flomax works by relaxing muscles around the bladder. It works within days, and is generally best for quick symptom relief. It comes with potential side effects of dizziness, fatigue, and retrograde ejaculation.
Proscar works by reducing DHT and shrinking the prostate. It can take about 3-6 months for full results, but those results can include long-term prostate volume reduction. Proscar’s side effects can include decreased libido and potential erectile dysfunction.
In some cases, you may not need to choose. Many men take both Flomax and finasteride together.
When used as combination therapy, this pairing can provide both immediate relief and long-term prostate shrinkage. This combination isn’t for everyone (and it can increase the likelihood of sexual side effects!), but it may be worth asking your doctor about.
You can buy brand Proscar (finasteride) for about $2.10 per tablet right here through NorthWestPharmacy.com and the generic for far less.
Rapaflo vs Flomax: A Similar Mechanism, But With a Twist
Next, let’s talk about Rapaflo.
Rapaflo (silodosin) is another alpha-blocker that gets compared to Flomax quite frequently.
Both medications work by relaxing the smooth muscles in the prostate and bladder neck.
Here’s their main difference:
Rapaflo binds more selectively to alpha-1 receptors in the prostate.
That difference can change how patients experience side effects.
The Main Advantages of Rapaflo Are…
- It has a faster onset. Some studies suggest Rapaflo begins working within hours of the first dose.
- It may come with fewer cardiovascular side effects. For many people, Rapaflo is less likely to cause drops in blood pressure than older alpha-blockers.
It can be a good choice for patients with heart conditions. For some populations, taking Flomax can cause surprisingly strong feelings of dizziness.
If that’s the case, Rapaflo can present a gentler experience.
The Potential Downsides of Rapaflo Are…
- Sometimes, Rapaflo comes with more ejaculatory side effects. Rapaflo can cause anejaculation (e.g., no semen release), though this is reversible when stopping treatment.
- In some cases, Rapaflo can come with a higher cost. Even generic silodosin may still be more expensive than tamsulosin.
- Rapaflo tends to cause similar dizziness and fatigue, like Flomax. This is especially at the start of therapy. It should go away with time, but it’s still a consideration to keep in mind.
If that still doesn’t sound like a good fit for you, there are a few more Flomax alternatives we can still walk through.
You can buy brand-name Rapaflo for about $5.40 per tablet right here through NorthWestPharmacy.com and the generic for much lower a price.
Uroxatral (Alfuzosin) vs Flomax: Small Differences, Big Impacts
Uroxatral (alfuzosin) is another alpha-blocker, and while it works much like Flomax, some men tolerate it a bit better.
Both medications do the same essential job of relaxing the smooth muscles in the bladder neck and prostate to make urination easier.
There are a few specific process differences in the way Urotraxal and Flomax accomplish that job that make them feel a bit different in day-to-day use.
Here’s what we mean:
- Flomax is more receptor-selective, meaning it targets the prostate directly…but that precision can also come with sexual side effects like retrograde ejaculation.
- Uroxatral, on the other hand, affects both the bladder and blood vessels slightly more evenly … which can translate to fewer sexual side effects for some users but also a greater chance of mild dizziness.
Uroxatral is taken once daily, usually after the same meal each day, and tends to have a gentler onset of action.
While some patients report needing a week or two to notice full relief, it’s often considered a good “middle ground” for men who find Flomax too strong or poorly tolerated.
Doctors often recommend switching from Flomax to Uroxatral if Flomax’s stronger side effects interfere with their quality of life.
You can buy brand-name Uroxatral for about $1.50 per tablet right here through NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Flomax vs Doxazosin and Terazosin: Tried and True (But Older) Options
Before newer, more selective medications like Flomax became standard, there were medications like Cardura (doxazosin) and Hytrin (terazosin).
While these drugs still work and are very widely prescribed, they’re a bit more of a blunt instrument than Flomax. They also tend to lower systemic blood pressure more than Flomax, which can be helpful when a patient struggles with high blood pressure … and a bit less so if that’s not the case.
Despite being older, doxazosin and terazosin can be both effective and affordable and have the benefit of decades of safety data backing them up.
However, their broader effects can make them less ideal for men prone to lightheadedness or balance issues.
Still, these older alpha-blockers serve as important alternatives, especially for patients seeking low-cost generics or whose bodies don’t respond well to the newer, more selective drugs.
You can buy brand-name Cardura for about $1.15 per tablet right here through NorthWestPharmacy.com and the generic for less.
You can buy brand-name Hytrin for about $1.00 per tablet right here through NorthWestPharmacy.com and the generic for less.
Saw Palmetto and Natural Alternatives: Can Supplements Help?
There are prescription drugs to help with BPH … and then there are natural alternatives to Flomax that can, in some cases, help.
One such natural alternative to Flomax is a substance called “saw palmetto.” Saw palmetto is a natural supplement extracted from the berries of the Serenoa repens palm. For decades, saw palmetto has been used to promote prostate and urinary health.
Some studies suggest that saw palmetto may inhibit DHT, much like finasteride. This could be the mechanism behind its reduction of prostate inflammation and mild urinary symptoms.
For some men, this works. Some people do report meaningful relief when taking saw palmetto.
Others see little to no change.
Either way, saw palmetto is usually well-tolerated. It tends to have fewer side effects than prescription medications. And, if your doctor approves it, saw palmetto can even be used as a complementary therapy alongside stronger prescription drugs.
There are other natural remedies that can be used to support symptom reduction in mild cases of BPH. These include beta-sitosterol, pygeum, and pumpkin seed oil.
These plant-based compounds have mild anti-inflammatory and urinary flow benefits, though they’re not regulated or standardized in the same way as prescription options. Just make sure you tell your doctor if you plan on starting any of these natural supplements, as some may interfere with your prescription medication needs!
Beyond Flomax? Other Treatment Options for BPH
If medications aren’t enough to support your optimal quality of life, or if you’re interested in trying out other ways to achieve health goals before you begin one of these prescription medications, you have options.
Combination therapy – e.g., using an alpha-blocker (like Flomax) plus a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (like finasteride) – offers the most comprehensive symptom relief for men with moderate to severe prostate enlargement.
This strategy targets both muscle relaxation and prostate shrinkage.
Taking daily low-dose tadalafil (Cialis), more commonly known as an erectile dysfunction medication, is now approved for use in BPH.
Taking this type of medication can help improve urinary flow by relaxing muscles in the bladder and prostate while simultaneously supporting sexual function.
Lifestyle strategies can also make a difference. Depending on your unique goals and circumstances, this could include limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, reducing fluid consumption before bedtime, practicing bladder training and timed urination, and maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise.
These changes, while not replacements for medication, can help make whichever treatment you choose more effective.
Choosing the Right BPH Medication for You
There are many, many considerations that you need to take into account when you’re selecting the right BPH treatment for you, personally.
These include your prostate size, symptom severity, blood pressure, sexual health, and personal priorities.
For example:
- If you want fast relief, Flomax or Rapaflo may be the best fit.
- If you want to shrink your prostate, Finasteride or Dutasteride might be preferable.
- If you want the fewest side effects, Uroxatral or Saw Palmetto could be worth exploring.
- And, remember! If you want a balance between cost and convenience, generic medications from a trusted online Canadian drugs and international medications website can make all the difference.
Save on BPH Medications with a Trusted Canadian Pharmacy
Once you and your doctor have determined the best medication for you – Flomax, finasteride, or another BPH medication – it’s time to figure out how to save on your meds.
Especially if you’re an American purchasing prescription medication, with or without insurance, buying your meds through an online and international Canadian pharmacy can result in extremely helpful savings. (This is particularly true if you’re taking a chronic medication.)
Here, through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can:
- Order brand-name and generic medications from licensed international sources,
- Upload valid prescriptions for pharmacist review,
- Enjoy prices up to 90% lower than those you’ll see in typical brick-and-mortar American pharmacies, and
- Access responsive, knowledgeable customer support.
Managing prostate health shouldn’t be stressful or expensive. With reliable care from your provider and affordable access through a trusted online and international Canadian pharmacy website, you can take control of your BPH symptoms and regain your quality of life. Ready to get started? The entire team at NorthWestPharmacy.com is looking forward to supporting you.
