Finasteride / Tadalafil Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 4, 2025.

Applies to finasteride / tadalafil: oral capsule.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, finasteride/tadalafil may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking finasteride / tadalafil:

More common side effects

• chills
• cold sweats
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position

Less common side effects

• arm, back, or jaw pain
• bloody urine
• blurred vision
• burning, dry, or itching eyes
• chest pain, discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise the in ears
• decreased amount of urine
• discharge, excessive tearing
• eye pain
• fainting
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• hearing loss
• increased blood pressure
• increased thirst
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining the of eyelid
• sweating
• swelling of the face, hands, fingers, ankles, feet, or lower legs
• trouble breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting
• weight gain

Incidence not known

• blindness
• blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
• change in vision
• clear or bloody discharge from nipple
• cough
• decreased vision
• dimpling of the breast skin
• fever
• hives, itching, skin rash
• inverted nipple
• irritation
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• lump in the breast or under the arm
• painful or prolonged erection of the penis
• persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple
• red irritated eyes
• red skin lesions, often with a purple center
• redness of the skin
• redness or swelling of the breast
• sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

Other side effects

Some side effects of finasteride / tadalafil may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• change or problem with discharge of semen
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• inability to have or keep an erection
• lack or loss of strength
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

Less common side effects

• acid or sour stomach
• belching
• bleeding from the rectum or bloody stools
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• burning feeling in the chest or stomach
• difficulty in moving
• difficulty swallowing
• dry mouth
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• headache
• heartburn
• indigestion
• muscle aches, cramps, pains, or stiffness
• pain in the arms or legs
• pain or burning in the throat
• sensation of spinning
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• sneezing
• stomach upset
• stuffy or runny nose
• swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
• swollen joints

Rare side effects

• breast enlargement

Incidence not known

• discouragement
• feeling sad or empty
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating

For healthcare professionals

Applies to finasteride / tadalafil: oral capsule.

General adverse events

The most frequently reported adverse reactions in studies evaluating finasteride in monotherapy or in combination therapy were related to sexual function.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%):

Finasteride: Rash

Tadalafil: Pruritus, rash, sweating

Postmarketing reports:

Finasteride: Angioedema (including swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, and face), pruritus, urticaria

Tadalafil: Exfoliative dermatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, urticaria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%):

Tadalafil: Dyspepsia, diarrhea

Frequency not reported:

Tadalafil: Abnormal liver function tests, dry mouth, dysphagia, esophagitis, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, GGTP increased, hemorrhoidal hemorrhage, loose stools, nausea, rectal hemorrhage, upper abdominal pain, vomiting^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%):

Finasteride: Hypotension, postural hypotension

Frequency not reported:

Tadalafil: Angina pectoris, chest pain, hypotension, myocardial infarction, palpitations, postural hypotension, syncope, tachycardia

Postmarketing reports:

Tadalafil: Stroke, sudden cardiac death^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%):

Finasteride: Abnormal ejaculation, decreased volume of ejaculate

Frequency not reported:

Tadalafil: Erection increased, spontaneous penile erection

Postmarketing reports:

Finasteride: Testicular pain

Tadalafil: Priapism^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%):

Tadalafil: Back pain, myalgia, pain in extremity

Frequency not reported:

Tadalafil: Arthralgia, muscle spasm, neck pain^[Ref]

Ocular

Frequency not reported:

Tadalafil: Blurred vision, changes in color vision, conjunctivitis (including conjunctival hyperemia), eye pain, increased lacrimation, swelling of eyelids

Postmarketing reports:

Tadalafil: Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), retinal artery occlusion, retinal vein occlusion, visual field defect^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%):

Finasteride: Abnormal sexual function, asthenia, breast enlargement, decreased libido, gynecomastia, impotence, peripheral edema

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%):

Finasteride: Breast tenderness

Frequency not reported:

Tadalafil: Asthenia, face edema, fatigue, pain, peripheral edema, sudden decrease or loss of hearing, tinnitus

Postmarketing reports:

Finasteride: Decreased libido and ejaculation disorders (e.g. reduced ejaculate volume),

hematospermia, male breast cancer, male infertility and/or poor seminal quality, sexual dysfunction that continued after discontinuation of treatment including erectile dysfunction

Tadalafil: Sudden decrease or loss of hearing^[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported:

Tadalafil: Renal impairment^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%):

Tadalafil: Nasopharyngitis

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%):

Finasteride: Dyspnea, rhinitis

Frequency not reported:

Tadalafil: Dyspnea, epistaxis, pharyngitis^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%):

Finasteride: Dizziness, headache, somnolence

Tadalafil: Dizziness, headache

Frequency not reported:

Tadalafil: Hypesthesia, insomnia, paresthesia, somnolence, vertigo

Postmarketing reports:

Finasteride: Depression

Tadalafil: Migraine, seizure and seizure recurrence, transient global amnesia^[Ref]

Further information

Finasteride/tadalafil side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer