Finasteride with Tamsulosin

Finasteride and Tamsulosin are medications commonly used in the management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. These drugs work through different mechanisms to alleviate symptoms associated with BPH.

Indications

-Finasteride: Used to treat BPH by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), thereby reducing prostate size and improving urinary symptoms. -Tamsulosin: A selective alpha-blocker primarily used to relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, facilitating smoother urine flow and relieving BPH symptoms.

Dosage

-Finasteride: Typically taken orally once a day, with or without food. The recommended dose is 5 mg. -Tamsulosin: Usually administered orally once a day, preferably 30 minutes after the same meal each day. The common starting dose is 0.4 mg.

Contra-Indications

Finasteride: -Women, especially pregnant or potentially pregnant, due to the risk of harm to the fetus. -Individuals with hypersensitivity to the drug. Tamsulosin: -Hypersensitivity to Tamsulosin or other components of the formulation. -Concomitant use with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Special Precautions

Finasteride: -Inform healthcare providers about any liver disease history. -Regular prostate-specific antigen (PSA) monitoring for prostate cancer detection. Tamsulosin: -Caution in patients with a history of orthostatic hypotension. -Be cautious in patients with severe hepatic impairment.

Side Effects

-Finasteride: Possible side effects include sexual dysfunction, breast tenderness, and allergic reactions. -Tamsulosin: Common side effects include dizziness, abnormal ejaculation, and rhinitis.

Drug Interactions

-Finasteride: No significant drug interactions noted. -Tamsulosin: Caution when used concurrently with other alpha-blockers, antihypertensive medications, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.