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Alpha-blocker medications for prostatitis
Examples
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| alfuzosin hydrochloride | Uroxatral |
| doxazosin mesylate | Cardura |
| silodosin | Rapaflo |
| tamsulosin hydrochloride | Flomax |
| terazosin hydrochloride | Hytrin |
These medications are available in pill form. A low dose is used initially, then the dosage is gradually increased until the medication has the greatest effect on reducing symptoms with minimal side effects.
How It Works
These medications relax the muscles in the prostate and at the base of the bladder. This reduces muscle tightness and spasms that may prevent normal urine flow.
Why It Is Used
These medications may be used to treat symptoms of chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, noninflammatory, a type of prostatitis, when muscle tightness and spasms are suspected to be the cause of symptoms and pain. Muscle tightness and spasms may force urine into the prostate, causing irritation that leads to prostatitis.
These medicines are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which may be caused by muscle spasms in the bladder neck or in the prostate. Although these medicines have not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of prostatitis, your doctor may prescribe one of these medicines to treat your prostatitis.
How Well It Works
Most men who take alpha-blockers for prostatitis have fewer symptoms, but it takes awhile for the medicine to give results. Alpha-blockers work best in men who haven't already tried many different kinds of medicines for prostatitis and who have moderate to severe symptoms. 1
Side Effects
Alpha-blockers can reduce blood pressure to less than normal. This can result in lightheadedness, especially when you stand up abruptly after sitting or lying down (postural hypotension).
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Because the medication can cause lightheadedness, it may be given at night and started at a low dose that will be gradually increased.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
(What is a PDF document?)
to help you understand this medication.
Citations
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
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