Is Tamsulosin similar to Viagra? Learn the Differences

Is Tamsulosin similar to Viagra? Learn the Differences
Published : Feb 04, 2024
Last Updated : Feb 14, 2025

No, Tamsulosin sold under the brand name Flomax and Viagra(Sildenafil) are not similar. Tamsulosin is an alpha-1 blocker used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by relaxing prostate and bladder muscles. While Viagra (Sildenafil) is a PDE5 inhibitor used for ED or male impotence, and it works by increasing blood flow to the penis. However, Sildenafil is also prescribed to treat BPH symptoms.

Moreover, there is a lot more about these drugs you might be finding out; continue reading to get the answers.

What is Tamsulosin?

Tamsulosin is an effective drug to treat an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms.

This medicine might not shrink your prostate but will gradually calm down the bladder and prostate muscles.

Doctors prescribe Tamsulosin to treat various BPH symptoms like poor urine and frequent or urgent urination.

As an alpha blocker, Tamsulosin can improve your erection quality, sexual pleasure, and sexual longing as well.

What is the Viagra pill?

Oral Viagra Tablets belong to a class of medications called PDE5 inhibitors and contain sildenafil citrate as their active ingredient.

Men above the age of 18 years can use this medication to get relief from their erectile dysfunction disorder.

However, doctors also prescribe Viagra to treat BPH or Benign prostatic hyperplasia problems in men.

Is Tamsulosin like Viagra?

Tamsulosin is not like Viagra, as doctors prescribe it only for treating urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate (BPH). Viagra and Tamsulosin treat different conditions, act through various mechanisms, and belong to other drug classes.

However, Sildenafil is also prescribed to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Both can affect blood pressure and are sometimes prescribed together for men with both BPH and ED—under medical supervision due to the risk of low blood pressure.

What are the significant differences between Tamsulosin and Viagra?

Here's a tablet that will Show you significant differences between Tamuslosin and Viagra. Find out how they work, the different conditions they treat, and their different drug classes:

Feature Tamsulosin Viagra (Sildenafil)
Drug class Alpha-1 blocker PDE5 inhibitor
Main use Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Mechanism Relaxes prostate and bladder muscles Increases blood flow to the penis
Shared effects May cause low blood pressure May cause low blood pressure
Used together? Yes, with medical supervision Yes, with medical supervision

 

Is Viagra safe for patients suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia?

You can take Viagra pill to treat your signs of an enlarged prostate if the doctor directs.

Does Tamsulosin also work like Viagra?

Viagra helps relax your blood vessels and promotes improved circulation to the male sexual organ.

Once it enters your system, Sildenafil becomes active in controlling the PDE-5 enzyme and allows you to maintain an erection.

If you think Tamsulosin helps to treat erectile dysfunction in the same way as Viagra does, then the answer is no.

Tamsulosin uses an entirely different mechanism and focuses on the alpha receptors.

This further relaxes the prostate and muscles present in your bladder and neck.

In this way, you start experiencing better urine flow and decreased BPH symptoms.

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So, can you take Tamsulosin to treat erectile dysfunction?

Some medicines for BPH can make it hard for men to maintain an erection.

Patients taking Terazosin and Doxazosin can experience decreased ejaculation. 

When compared to other medicines, a small dosage of Tamsulosin will not impact your sexual function negatively.

However, a higher dose can contribute to a more significant risk of ejaculatory dysfunction.

In case you are thinking about whether Tamsulosin helps with erectile dysfunction condition, then not to that extent.

Viagra is always the best option if you are looking for a medicine to treat your ED condition solely.

What are the side effects of Tamsulosin and Viagra?

Tamsulosin and Viagra are two different classes of medicines and work in various ways.

This is the reason they share only one similar side effect, i.e., prolonged erections (Priapism).

When it comes to Tamsulosin, the most common side effects include:

  • Changes in taste
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness

Men taking Tamsulosin might also experience a decrease in their white & red blood cells and increased body fat.

While Viagra often comes with more side effects, including:

  • Facial flushing
  • Stuffy nose
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Rashes

However, some men can also experience UTIs and temporary colour blindness as side effects of Viagra.

Though Viagra might have mild side effects, Tamsulosin has the potential to cause more severe symptoms.

Low blood pressure and intraoperative floppy iris syndrome are rare but severe side effects of Tamsulosin.

What Researchers say:

Combining sildenafil (Viagra) with Tamsulosin has been shown to effectively improve erectile dysfunction and urinary symptoms in men with BPH, with a comparable safety profile to Tamsulosin alone.

 

Is it safe to take Viagra while taking Tamsulosin?

The most common question that often strikes the mind is, can I take Viagra and Tamsulosin at the same time?

Well, if you are taking an alpha blocker like Tamsulosin, then you can use Viagra, but the doctor will suggest a lower dosage.

In case you end up taking Tamsulosin and Viagra together without decreasing the dose, then it may cause low blood pressure.

Can the Tamsulosin pill affect Viagra?

Tamsulosin and Viagra work well together, but only if you adjust the dosage correctly.

Depending on your condition, the doctor can only prescribe you the best dose.

However, Tamsulosin is not considered suitable for everyone, mainly for men with shallow blood pressure.

Patients suffering from severe kidney or liver issues should not take Tamsulosin and Viagra together strictly.

Neither are the men who are planning to undergo glaucoma or cataract surgery recently.

Thus, Tamsulosin is a potent medication for patients experiencing BPH and not able to urinate because of an enlarged prostate.

While Viagra helps to treat ED and allows you to get and maintain an erection.

Final Lines:

Tamsulosin and Viagra are different medications with different purposes.

Tamsulosin treats urinary problems from an enlarged prostate, while Viagra primarily treats erectile dysfunction.

Although they work differently, both may be used together under medical supervision for men with BPH and ED.

Always consult your doctor to ensure safe and effective use.

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Faq

Tamsulosin can be used as off-label uses to help with erectile function, but it should be used without a doctor's advice. However, Recent studies have reported a significant statistical improvement in erectile function, sexual desire, and intercourse satisfaction with Tamsulosin.

Tamsulosin and Viagra are safe to use together but only when taken in adjusted dosage strengths and separate intervals. If taken inappropriately, combining Tamsulosin and Viagra will increase the risk of low blood pressure (hypotension). Both drugs affect blood vessel dilation, which can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. As a result, it may lead to dizziness, fainting, and heartbeat.
 

You may need to separate doses by at least 4–6 hours to take Tamsulosin and Viagra, but use them only when prescribed.