Vardenafil vs Dutasteride: side-by-side comparison
Vardenafil (PDE5 inhibitor) and Dutasteride (Dual 5α-reductase inhibitor (type 1 and type 2)) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely substitutes for each other. The comparison is useful when a single patient is weighing both options for adjacent or overlapping needs.
| Property | Vardenafil | Dutasteride |
|---|---|---|
| Therapeutic class | PDE5 inhibitor | Dual 5α-reductase inhibitor (type 1 and type 2) |
| CAS | 224785-91-5 | 164656-23-9 |
| ATC | G04BE09 | G04CB02 |
| Molecular weight | 488.6 g/mol | 528.53 g/mol |
| Brands with this active ingredient | 2 | 1 |
What they share
Vardenafil and Dutasteride share the common regulatory framework for prescription active ingredients, bioequivalence standards for generics, and pharmacist oversight. Beyond that, points in common are limited.
Key differences
Vardenafil acts by a different mechanism than Dutasteride, with indications that barely overlap. Comparing the two is useful when a clinician has mentioned both in the same context or the patient wants to understand why one was prescribed instead of the other.
Mechanisms compared
Vardenafil: Vardenafil hemmt selektiv die PDE5, das Enzym, das zyklisches Guanosinmonophosphat im Corpus cavernosum abbaut. Dutasteride: Dutasterid hemmt irreversibel beide Isoenzyme der 5α-Reduktase, des Enzyms, das Testosteron zu Dihydrotestosteron (DHT) umwandelt.
Indications compared
Vardenafil: Vardenafil ist bei erwachsenen Männern zur Behandlung der erektilen Dysfunktion zugelassen. Dutasteride: Dutasterid ist zugelassen bei symptomatischer benigner Prostatahyperplasie, allein oder in Kombination mit Tamsulosin (Combodart/Jalyn) zur stärkeren Symptomlinderung.
Safety profile
Vardenafil: Häufige Nebenwirkungen in klinischen Studien sind Kopfschmerzen, Gesichtsrötung, verstopfte Nase, Dyspepsie und Schwindel. Dutasteride: Häufige Nebenwirkungen sind sexuelle Funktionsstörungen (verminderte Libido, erektile Dysfunktion, Ejakulationsstörungen), Gynäkomastie und Brustspannen.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Is Vardenafil better than Dutasteride? ▾
Vardenafil and Dutasteride are not "better or worse" — they treat different things. The sensible question is which fits your specific need.
Can Vardenafil and Dutasteride be combined? ▾
Whether they can be combined depends on the indications and the interaction profile of each. If both are in a single prescription, the prescriber has weighed it; in self-medication they should never be combined.
Do they have the same side-effect profile? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each has its own prescribing information.
Products with Vardenafil
Products with Dutasteride
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