Spirituality at SetonCove.net     Wellness at GoodHealth.com
Search Seton.net
Can’t find it? A - Z Index
...
...

Biblioteca de la salud en español Alpha-Blocker Medicines for Prostatitisde Healthwise

Home > Health Information from A-Z > Biblioteca de la salud en español > Temas de las Salud

Alpha-blocker medicines for prostatitis

Examples

Generic NameBrand Name
alfuzosinUroxatral
doxazosinCardura
silodosinRapaflo
tamsulosinFlomax
terazosinHytrin

These medicines are available in pill form. A low dose is used at first, then the dosage is gradually increased until the medicine has the greatest effect on reducing symptoms with minimal side effects.

How It Works

These medicines 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 medicines 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.

How Well It Works

Most men who take alpha-blockers for prostatitis have fewer symptoms, but it takes awhile for the medicine to give results. Alpha-blockers work best in men who haven't already tried many different kinds of medicines for prostatitis and who have moderate to severe symptoms.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 this medicine 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

  1. Nickel JC (2007). Inflammatory conditions of the male genitourinary tract: Prostatitis and related conditions, orchitis, and epididymitis. In AJ Wein et al., eds., Campbell-Walsh Urology, 9th ed., vol. 1, pp. 304–329. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerE. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerChristopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology
Last RevisedJanuary 6, 2010

Last Revised: January 6, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology, Oncology

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

...
-
-
image Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the Magnet designation, the highest award for nursing excellence given by the American Nurses Association.
Public Notice - Magnet Recognition Program Site Visit Seton Northwest
-
RSS Feed   (What's RSS?)