Prostate Medications
The prescription medications that are prescribed to treat symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate fall into two classes. They are
Alpha-blockers
The most common alpha blockers are doxazosin (Cardura), terazosin (Hytrin), prazosin (Minipress), tamsulosin (Flomax), and afluzosin (UroXatral).
Alpha-blockers may help symptoms caused by blockage at the opening of the bladder. The most common symptoms associated with this blockage are difficulty starting a urinary stream and a weak stream.
Alpha-blockers work by relaxing smooth muscle tissue found in the prostate and the opening to the bladder neck, allowing urine to flow out of the bladder more easily.
Most people treated with Alpha-blockers find that it helps their symptoms but it does not stop the process of prostate enlargement.
Common side effects of alpha-blockers include:
- Weakness or fatigue
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting when you stand up suddenly after sitting or lying down. This may occur if your blood pressure becomes low when you stand up suddenly (postural or orthostatic hypotension).
- Headaches and nasal congestion.
Medicines for erectile dysfunction (ED) – such as Viagra, Levitra, or Cialis – may make these side effects worse.
Recent studies, including a 2006 study published in the Journal of Urology and the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS) trial, have indicated that the best results are often seen when alpha-blockers are used together with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
5-Alpha reductase inhibitors
The most common 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar).
5-alpha reductase inhibitors may reduce the size of an enlarged prostate, but may take 6-12 months to show any effects on symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Men with smaller prostates typically see less benefits than men with larger prostates – for this reason, they are typically not recommended for men with BPH symptoms without a noticeably enlarged prostate
These medications work by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, which in turn inhibits production of DHT, a hormone responsible for enlarging the prostate. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can reduce the size of the prostate, but since a reduction in size does not always bring about symptom relief, not all patients experience satisfactory results. When you stop taking the medicine, symptoms usually return.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors lower prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, which are measured and monitored to detect early-stage prostate cancer. Because of this, men who are interesting in taking these medications should consider the following:
Because PSA levels are used to detect early-stage prostate cancer, men interested in taking a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor might consider the following:
- Be checked for prostate cancer before beginning the use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
- further testing for prostate cancer if you have not experienced a significant decrease in your PSA levels after taking the medication for six months
- further testing for prostate cancer if PSA levels are above 2ng/mL during the taking of 5-alpha reductase inhibitor medications .
Side effects that have been reported include
- A decreased sex drive, or libido
- An increase in ejaculatory dysfunction (such as a smaller ejaculatory volume)
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Reductions in energy
- Tenderness in the breasts
- Possible weight loss
Recent studies, including a 2006 study published in the Journal of Urology and the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS) trial, have indicated that the best results are often seen when alpha-blockers are used together with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) which may accompany BPH. Some persons note an improvement in the symptoms after a course of antibiotics.
>> Return to Prostate Health Center
