What Does Tamsulosin Plus Contain?: A Guide to Combination BPH Medications

October 11, 2025 •

3 min read

Affecting over 50% of men over 50, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition often managed with medication. For those with moderate-to-severe symptoms, combination therapy, addressed by 'what does tamsulosin plus contain', offers a dual approach to relief by treating both immediate symptoms and the underlying cause.

Quick Summary

The phrase 'tamsulosin plus' refers to combination medications that include tamsulosin. The most common formulation combines tamsulosin with dutasteride to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, addressing both muscle relaxation and prostate size.

Key Points

Jalyn is the Combination: The most common 'tamsulosin plus' medication is Jalyn, which contains both tamsulosin and dutasteride.
Dual Action: The combination provides fast symptom relief via tamsulosin (an alpha-blocker) and long-term prostate shrinkage via dutasteride (a 5-ARI).
Superior Efficacy: Studies like the CombAT trial show this combination is more effective than either drug alone for men with moderate-to-severe BPH.
Sexual Side Effects: The combination has a higher risk of sexual side effects, including erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems.
Important Precautions: Patients should be aware of risks like low blood pressure, priapism, and potential effects on prostate cancer screening and cataract surgery.
Comprehensive Treatment: It addresses both the physical obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate and the muscle tension that worsens urinary symptoms.

What is the Combination Medication with Tamsulosin?

While 'tamsulosin plus' is not an official drug name, it commonly refers to combination therapies containing tamsulosin. The most notable is Jalyn, a prescription capsule that combines dutasteride and tamsulosin hydrochloride to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with an enlarged prostate. This combination works through two different mechanisms to provide more comprehensive relief than either drug used alone.

Dutasteride: Addressing Prostate Enlargement

Dutasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) that works by reducing levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone contributing to prostate growth. By lowering DHT, dutasteride helps shrink the prostate over time, improving urinary flow and reducing the risk of BPH complications. Its effects develop gradually over several months.

Tamsulosin: Relieving Urinary Symptoms

Tamsulosin, an alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker (alpha-blocker), relaxes smooth muscles in the prostate and bladder neck by blocking specific receptors. This relaxation decreases resistance to urine flow, providing faster relief from bothersome BPH symptoms like weak stream and incomplete emptying, often within days or weeks.

The Benefits of Combination Therapy

Studies, including the CombAT trial, have demonstrated that combining an alpha-blocker like tamsulosin with a 5-ARI like dutasteride offers greater benefits for men with moderate-to-severe BPH compared to using either drug alone. Key advantages include:

Enhanced Symptom Improvement: Better overall relief of urinary symptoms.
Reduced Disease Progression Risk: Lower likelihood of acute urinary retention and the need for BPH surgery.
Improved Quality of Life: Patients report better quality of life scores.
Comprehensive Action: Combines immediate symptom relief with long-term prostate size reduction.

How to Take a Tamsulosin Plus Medication

For combination medications such as Jalyn, proper administration is crucial. Capsules must be swallowed whole without chewing or opening due to potential irritation. Pregnant women should not handle damaged capsules as dutasteride can be absorbed and harm a male fetus. It is important to follow the specific instructions provided by a healthcare professional regarding timing and frequency of dosage.

A Comparison of BPH Treatments

Understanding different BPH treatment approaches highlights the role of combination therapy.


Feature	Tamsulosin Monotherapy	Dutasteride Monotherapy	Combination Therapy (Jalyn)
Mechanism	Alpha-blocker; relaxes prostate/bladder muscles for better flow.	5-alpha reductase inhibitor; shrinks prostate by reducing DHT.	Combines both mechanisms for immediate symptom relief and long-term size reduction.
Onset of Action	Relatively fast (days to weeks) for symptoms.	Slow (months) for prostate size and symptoms.	Rapid symptom relief from tamsulosin, with gradual prostate reduction from dutasteride.
Primary Effect	Relieves urinary symptoms like weak stream and urgency.	Reduces prostate volume, addressing the root cause.	Comprehensive relief for immediate symptoms and long-term progression.
Common Side Effects	Dizziness, nasal congestion, abnormal ejaculation.	Erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, ejaculation issues.	May include dizziness, ejaculation problems, and decreased libido.

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

While effective, combination therapy has potential side effects and requires precautions. Sexual side effects, including decreased libido and erectile or ejaculation problems, are more common than with tamsulosin alone. Tamsulosin can cause orthostatic hypotension, leading to dizziness, especially when standing up quickly. A rare but serious side effect of tamsulosin is priapism, a prolonged erection requiring immediate medical help. Tamsulosin can also affect cataract surgery, potentially causing Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS), so informing the surgeon is vital. Dutasteride can lower PSA levels, affecting prostate cancer screening interpretation, and some studies suggest a small increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer with 5-ARIs.

Conclusion

'Tamsulosin plus' generally refers to combination BPH treatments, primarily Jalyn, which contains tamsulosin and dutasteride. This therapy is effective for moderate-to-severe BPH, offering both quick symptom relief and long-term prostate size reduction. Patients should be aware of potential side effects, such as sexual dysfunction and blood pressure changes, and consult their doctor to ensure this treatment is suitable and safe for their specific condition.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific medical concerns or treatment decisions, always consult a qualified healthcare provider. FDA label for Jalyn

Frequently Asked Questions

The most common combination medication referred to as 'tamsulosin plus' is Jalyn, which contains tamsulosin and dutasteride in a single capsule.

Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker that relaxes muscles in the prostate for quick relief of urinary symptoms, while dutasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that shrinks the prostate over time by lowering DHT levels.

For men with moderate-to-severe BPH, clinical studies have shown that combination therapy is more effective at improving symptoms and reducing the risk of disease progression than tamsulosin monotherapy.

Common side effects include dizziness, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and ejaculation disorders. More serious, though less common, side effects include orthostatic hypotension and priapism.

No. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not handle the capsules, as dutasteride can be absorbed through the skin and cause birth defects in a male fetus.

Yes, you should not donate blood while taking a dutasteride/tamsulosin combination and for at least 6 months after your last dose, as the medication can remain in the bloodstream.

The capsules must be swallowed whole and not chewed or opened. It is important to follow the specific instructions provided by a healthcare professional regarding timing and frequency of dosage.

Yes, dutasteride can lower PSA levels, which affects how prostate cancer screening results are interpreted. It is important to inform your doctor if you are taking this medication.