By the way, doctor: Is it okay to switch from Avodart to finasteride for BPH?

Published: July, 2008

Q. I have been taking Avodart for my BPH, along with Flomax, but finasteride may be less expensive. Should I switch?

A. The drugs used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) fall into two main groups, the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and the alpha-1 blockers. Finasteride (Proscar), which is available as a generic, and dutasteride (Avodart) are 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Tamsulosin (Flomax) is an alpha-1 blocker.

To continue reading this article, you must log in.
  • Research health conditions
  • Check your symptoms
  • Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
  • Find the best treatments and procedures for you
  • Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
Learn more about the many benefits and features of joining Harvard Health Online »