In addition, men who take beta blockers or medication for erectile dysfunction must be evaluated before starting this treatment. This drug class works to block DHT dihydrotestosterone production and results in a shrinking of the prostate. DHT is one of the male hormones that may contribute to the enlarging of the prostate.
An enlarged prostate causes the urethra to be blocked which leads to problems urinating and potential infection. Once the prostate size is reduced, urine flow is improved and other symptoms are reduced. Some of the most common generic and brand names for this class of BPH medications include:.
This drug class is an effective treatment option that reduces BPH symptoms. Proper use of these medications may decrease the need for future surgical treatment. These BPH medications must continue to be taken to prevent symptoms from returning. However, side effects are significant for certain patients and must be fully considered.
These include, but are not limited to:. This class of BPH medications may be most appropriate for older men or those who have very large prostate glands. As with any drug treatment, it is important to consider overall health and how BPH medications may interact with your other drugs or pre-existing health conditions.
Combination therapy involves the use of multiple drug classes at the same time. A combination of an alpha blocker along with a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor may greatly improve symptoms. For certain patients, this combination of BPH medications may be more effective in treating symptoms and improving the overall quality of life. Alpha blockers can also be used in combination with a class of drugs known as antimuscarinics. This particular combination is effective in treating BPH symptoms and issues related to an overactive bladder.
The benefits of combination therapy are clear; however, side effects may be more likely. The potential interactions of both BPH medications with other health issues and medications are more complicated with combination therapy. Common side effects of combination therapy may include any of the issues from each drug class.
If you have a larger prostate and potential side effects do not concern you, this may be an appropriate BPH treatment plan for you. Phytotherapies are herbal treatments that may appeal to those looking for natural BPH treatment options or BPH home remedies. In men with a moderately enlarged prostate who have no serious health issues, Flomax often works well. But for some, it causes unpleasant side effects.
Common side effects of Flomax include:. For some men, however, the cost is also a significant concern. Other alpha-blockers work in much the same way as Flomax.
Hytrin, another generic drug, also works well. Selective alpha-blockers, such as Flomax, can also lower blood pressure but not quite as much as nonselective alpha-blockers.
They do this by preventing the body from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone DHT. DHT can cause the prostate to grow, putting pressure on the urethra and making it difficult for the urine to flow.
Drugs in this group include Avodart dutasteride and Proscar finasteride. These drugs may lower libido, cause problems with ejaculation, or lead to erectile dysfunction ED. Rarely, they can cause gynecomastia, a condition in which a man develops breasts. Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors are drugs for erectile dysfunction ED. Sometimes phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors are used alongside other BPH drugs to combat erectile side effects. Drugs in this group include:.
These drugs can cause headaches, nausea, and drops in blood pressure. Rarely, they may cause a painful erection that does not go away. Combining certain medications may help when a single drug does not work. For example, alpha-blockers combined with drugs for an overactive bladder may be more effective. Occasionally, doctors use other drugs on an off-label basis to treat BPH. It is crucial for a person to discuss the risks and benefits of BPH medications with their doctor.
When drug treatment fails or when there are other problems with the prostate, such as frequent prostate infections, a doctor might recommend a prostatectomy.
A prostatectomy is a procedure in which the surgeon removes all or a portion of the prostate. In some people, this can alleviate symptoms with few or no side effects. However, a prostatectomy may cause incontinence , sexual dysfunction, and other health concerns. People should carefully weigh the benefits and risks of a prostatectomy, and talk to their doctors about which form of prostatectomy is likely to be the most effective. The ends of some nerves release a chemical neurotransmitter called noradrenaline norepinephrine when the nerve is stimulated.
This chemical then stimulates alpha-adrenergic receptors. These receptors are tiny structures which occur on cells in various parts of the body, including the heart, involuntary smooth muscles and blood vessels. When these receptors are stimulated, they cause various effects. The alpha-blocker medicine attaches to alpha-adrenergic receptors and stops blocks the receptor from being stimulated.
This can have various effects in the body:. For high blood pressure hypertension : alpha-blockers are usually prescribed after most other medicines have been tried.
Alpha-blockers are normally only started by doctors who specialise in treating hypertension and only if:. Having hypertension increases your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke , or developing chronic kidney disease or heart failure.
There are many studies which show that medicines such as beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and diuretics are better than alpha-blockers at lowering the risk of having these conditions.
For prostate gland enlargement : the decision to start alpha-blockers depends on how much you are bothered by the symptoms. For example, you may be glad for some treatment if you are woken six times a night, every night, with an urgent need to go to the toilet. On the other hand, slight hesitancy when you go to the toilet and getting up once a night to pass urine may cause little problem and not need treatment. Your doctor will help you decide if this treatment is right for you.
For high blood pressure hypertension : once-daily preparations of doxazosin or terazosin are usually recommended. Once-daily preparations are generally thought to be easier for people to take and to remember to take. Prazosin and indoramin need to be taken two or three times each day and prazosin is more likely to cause a large drop in blood pressure after the first dose has been taken.
For prostate gland enlargement : once-daily preparations of alfuzosin , doxazosin , tamsulosin or terazosin are generally recommended. This is because once-daily preparations cause fewer side-effects than the preparations that need to be taken up to three times a day.
Most people with high blood pressure hypertension need to take medication for life. However, in some people whose blood pressure has been well controlled for three years or more, medication may be able to be stopped. In particular, in people who have made significant changes to lifestyle such as having lost a lot of weight or having stopped smoking or heavy drinking, etc.
Your doctor can advise you. For people with symptoms caused by prostate gland enlargement, alpha-blockers are also usually taken long-term. Your doctor will usually review your symptoms every weeks after you start treatment. Once your symptoms have settled down, your treatment is usually reviewed every year. This is to make sure it is still working.
There are a number of medicines that should usually be avoided if you also take an alpha-blocker. These include:. When these medicines are combined with an alpha-blocker, you may have a sudden drop in blood pressure postural hypotension.
0コメント