Alpha-blocker medications for prostatitis
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Examples
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Uroxatral | alfuzosin hydrochloride |
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Cardura | doxazosin mesylate |
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Flomax | tamsulosin |
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Hytrin | terazosin hydrochloride |
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 the medication have less urinary tract or prostate pain and fewer problems urinating. However, the symptoms return if you stop using the medication, so it may be necessary to continue taking it over a long period of time.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.
References
Citations
Nickel JC (2002). Prostatitis and related conditions. In PC Walsh et al., eds., Campbell's Urology, 8th ed., vol. 1, pp. 603–630. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
Credits
| Author | Ralph Poore |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology |
| Last Updated | January 20, 2006 |
| Last updated: | January 20, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Michele Cronen |
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