Most men, at the age of 40 and above are usually diagnosed with an enlarged prostate (BPH-Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia). The first line of treatment for an enlarged prostate is medication. Doctors will prescribe Flomax or Avodart. The purpose of this article is to compare and contrast the differences between Flomax and Avodart medication. The three main differences of the two medications are the drug categories and characteristics, the mechanism of the drug action and the side effects.
The first difference between the two medications is their drug characteristic. Flomax is part of the drug group alpha 1-blockers. Alpha 1-blockers are found on several parts of the body, including the arteries and the smooth muscles of the prostate gland. Avodart, however, is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, which is an enzyme produced by tissues in the male body particularly the seminal vessels, prostate and the epididymis.
The second main difference between the two drugs Flomax and Avodart is their mode of action in the body. Flomax acts by helping the muscles of the prostate gland and the urinary bladder neck to relax. When there is a relaxation of the prostate gland and the urinary bladder neck, urine flows easily due to the widened channel of passageway being created. The urine is able to pass normally. Flomax medication is usually given by doctors to alleviate, soothe and relieve the urinary symptoms experienced by most men with BPH. Avodart on the other hand acts by lowering the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) hormone which is produced by the body. When there is a decrease of DHT hormone production in the body, it promotes the shrinkage of the enlarged prostate. Avodart medication specifically targets the prostate gland to decrease in size.
The third main difference between the two drugs is the expected side-effects it brings. When taking Flomax medication its number of side effects include, retrograde ejaculation (this happens when the ejaculation fluid is not squirted out, most of the semen runs back into the urinary bladder), dizziness, headache, itching, weakness, dizziness upon standing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, rash, fast heart beats, increase in coughing, blocked nose and infection. While men who take Avodart medication experience impotence or inability to achieve and maintain a penile erection, decreased in sex drive or libido, problems with ejaculation, gynecomastia or breast enlargement/tenderness and a decrease in sperm count and semen volume.
These are the three main differences observed between taking Flomax or Avodart medication. As we can see, the type of drug prescription and management is based on the current symptom experienced by the patient.