Capsera5-alpha reductase inhibitors
Compare the named medicines in this source-linked class directory.
Membership describes a named action or a component of a combination. A medicine may appear in several families. Medicines in one family are not automatically interchangeable; this is a study directory, not a prescribing guide.
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Generic names and pronunciation
| Finasteride · fi-NAS-teer-ide |
| Dutasteride · doo-TAS-ter-ide |
Pronunciation is shown for the US English generic name.
Body system and related classes
Body system: Genitourinary
How each medicine works
| Finasteride — Competitive, specific inhibitor of type II 5-alpha reductase, blocking conversion of testosterone to DHT. |
| Dutasteride — Competitively inhibits type 1 and type 2 5-alpha reductase, blocking conversion of testosterone to DHT. |
Each summary is the mechanism line from the medicine’s study card.
What each medicine is used for
| Finasteride — Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate, to improve symptoms; Reduction of acute urinary retention and BPH-related surgery risk in men with an enlarged prostate; Reduction of symptomatic BPH progression when combined with doxazosin |
| Dutasteride — Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia in men with an enlarged prostate; The same symptomatic BPH/enlarged-prostate indication in combination with tamsulosin |
Each list is the uses line from the medicine’s study card.
Telling these medicines apart
Medicines in this class: 2
Listed on more than one card in this class
Common side effects
Impotence · 2/2: Finasteride, Dutasteride
Decreased libido · 2/2: Finasteride, Dutasteride
Listed on only one card in this class
Finasteride: Common side effects — Decreased ejaculate volume; Breast enlargement / tenderness; Rash · Warnings — Lowers PSA by about 50% within six months; a confirmed rise from the on-treatment lowest value requires evaluation; May increase high-grade prostate cancer risk; Contraindicated in pregnancy (male fetus risk)
Dutasteride: Common side effects — Ejaculation disorders; Breast disorders · Warnings — Lowers serum PSA (reinterpret values); Possible higher risk of high-grade prostate cancer; Pregnant women should not handle capsules
An item counts as shared only when both cards use the same wording. If a card does not list an item, that is not a statement that the effect never occurs.