Avodart vs Voltaren: side-by-side comparison
Avodart (Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss) and Voltaren (Pain Relief Medications) belong to different therapeutic classes and are rarely interchangeable. This page compares the medications' purposes, mechanisms and the situations where each is used.
| Property | Avodart | Voltaren |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Dutasteride | Diclofenac |
| Manufacturer | GlaxoSmithKline | Novartis |
| Class | Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss | Pain Relief Medications |
| Strengths | 0.5mg | 25mg, 50mg, 75mg, 100mg |
| Forms | capsule | tablet, delayed-release tablet, topical gel, suppository |
What's the same
Avodart and Voltaren are used in very different patients, and the points in common are limited. The main shared element is that both meet regulatory standards for efficacy and safety and benefit from pharmacist oversight.
Key differences
Avodart belongs to Male and Female Pattern Hair Loss while Voltaren belongs to Pain Relief Medications. Indications, mechanisms and target populations differ. The comparison is most useful when a clinician has mentioned both medications and the patient wants to understand where each fits.
Mechanism and action
Avodart: Avodart inhibits both isoforms of 5α-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Voltaren: Diclofenac reversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, with somewhat greater selectivity for COX-2 than ibuprofen and naproxen.
When Avodart is preferred
Avodart is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia, alone or in combination with the alpha-blocker tamsulosin.
When Voltaren is preferred
Voltaren is approved in adults for the treatment of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, acute musculoskeletal pain, post-surgical pain, primary dysmenorrhoea, acute migraine and ureteric colic.
Frequently asked questions
Is Avodart or Voltaren better? ▾
Avodart and Voltaren are not interchangeable — they treat different conditions. Asking which is "better" is meaningful only when a clinician has weighed both for the same specific clinical scenario.
Can I switch from Avodart to Voltaren? ▾
Switching between Avodart and Voltaren is rarely an appropriate decision since they belong to different classes and treat different conditions. The real question is usually whether the diagnosis calls for one medication or the other — which the prescriber resolves.
Do Avodart and Voltaren have the same side effects? ▾
No — they belong to different classes and have distinct side-effect profiles. Each medication has its own prescribing information.
More Avodart comparisons
The information on this website is provided for reference and educational purposes only. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.