Medications for BPH symptoms
Medications (pills) might be a treatment option for enlarged
prostate (BPH) if:
- you have mild to moderate symptoms;
- your prostate gland is the right size
to respond to medication; and
- you are not already taking other medications that could create a health risk when
combined with prostate pills; for example, if you are taking Viagra®or
sildenafil citrate for erection problems, then you may be at increased risk for
low blood pressure and related problems such as dizziness.
There are two kinds of prescription pills, known as
alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. They
can be taken either alone or as combination
therapy, which may result in greater effectiveness and symptom relief. Pills
may require several weeks to 6 months to take effect. They also may have side effects,
and their long-term effectiveness can be limited. Over the long run, the continual
use of pills can be costly.
Prescription medications (pills)
Alpha blockers
These pills are often prescribed for moderate BPH
symptoms. Alpha blockers relax
the muscle tissue of the prostate and
the bladder neck, allowing urine to flow from the bladder more easily. These pills
include Hytrin® (terazosin hydrochloride); Cardura®
(doxazosin mesylate); Flomax® (tamsulosin hydrochloride); Minipress®
(prazosin hydrochloride); and Uroxatral® (alfuzosin hydrochloride).
Alpha blockers relieve symptoms within a few weeks, but do not stop the process
of prostate enlargement. Side effects vary with each individual and medication.
Common side effects of alpha blockers include weakness or fatigue, headaches, nasal
congestion, and dizziness. Sexual side effects include failure to ejaculate, retrograde
(or internal) ejaculation, and less semen to be ejaculated. Side effects disappear
once the medication is stopped.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors
These medications work best with men who have significantly enlarged prostates (BPH). Men with smaller prostates see less
benefit. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors inhibit the effect of certain male hormones,
which slows the rate of prostate enlargement. In some cases, they even shrink the
size of the prostate. Two medications
in this category are: Proscar® (finasteride); and Avodart®
(dutasteride). 5-alpha reductase inhibitors may take from 3 to 6 months before symptom
improvements are noticed.1 While 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are generally
considered safe and well tolerated, common side effects include less semen to be
ejaculated and the inability to get an erection (impotence).
Herbal medications
Herbal medications are sold as dietary supplements, not prescription medications,
in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate herbal therapies
as strictly as drugs and medical devices. Research on these medications is limited,
but the available studies indicate some effectiveness. Herbal therapies include:
saw palmetto; beta-sitosterol and ryegrass pollen extract. Side effects appear to
be minimal, but some men report nausea and digestive problems. Side effects may
also include decreased sexual desire.
If you decide to use an herbal therapy to treat your BPH symptoms, or if you are
thinking about combining an herbal therapy with your conventional medical treatment,
be sure to tell your doctor.
Next page:
Office-Based Minimally Invasive Treatment
Disclaimer: This material is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a consultation. You should talk with a urologist regarding your specific symptoms or medical condition.
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