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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - Medications
Medicines are sometimes used to help relieve bothersome, moderate to severe urination problems caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). If you stop using medicine, the symptoms will usually return.
The
American Urological Association (AUA) symptom index
is
an interactive questionnaire that can help you determine how bad your urinary
symptoms are and check how well your treatment is working. But the most
important factor in deciding whether to use medicines is not your AUA score but
how much the symptoms bother you and affect your quality of life. A high score
on the AUA does not necessarily mean you need medicines.
The side effects of the most commonly used medicines are generally minor, and they stop when you stop taking the medicine.
Medication Choices
- Alpha-blockers, including doxazosin (Cardura) and terazosin (Hytrin), relieve symptoms within a few weeks but do not stop the process of prostate enlargement.
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, such as dutasteride (Avodart) or finasteride (Proscar), may reduce the size of an enlarged prostate but may take 6 months or more to show any effect on symptoms.
- Using a combination of an alpha-blocker with a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor may help your symptoms more than either medicine alone.5, 6
What To Think About
Alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors affect different prostate tissues. How much your symptoms improve may depend on which tissue is contributing most to your symptoms. None of these medicines will work for everyone.
Alpha-blockers may help symptoms caused by a blockage at the opening to the bladder. With this type of obstruction, you may have difficulty starting urination and have a weak urine stream. Alpha-blockers relax the smooth muscle tissue in the prostate and the opening to the bladder. This muscle tissue must relax to allow urine to flow.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors can reduce the size of your prostate and can slow the rate of enlargement. Men with smaller prostates see less benefit than those with larger prostates. Men who have only slightly enlarged prostates usually find alpha-blockers more helpful.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors may cause you to have less desire to have sex (decreased libido).
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Topics
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.
ENABLEX is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:
- · having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away (also called "urgency")
- · leaks or wetting accidents (also called "urinary incontinence")
- · having to go to the bathroom too often (also called "urinary frequency")
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
You should not take once-daily ENABLEX if you have certain types of stomach problems, glaucoma, or have trouble emptying your bladder. Side effects of ENBLEX include blurred vision, and more commonly dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Use caution when doing certain activities until you know how ENBALEX affects you.
