Alpha-Blocker Medicines for Prostatitis
| alfuzosin |
Uroxatral |
| doxazosin |
Cardura |
| silodosin |
Rapaflo |
| tamsulosin |
Flomax |
| terazosin |
Hytrin |
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.
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.
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.
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
Taking an antibiotic and an alpha-blocker together helps to improve symptoms of chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain better than either medicine alone.
2
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.)
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.
Citations
-
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.
-
Anothaisintawee T, et al. (2011). Management of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. JAMA, 305(1): 78–86.
|
By
| Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
| E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
| J. Curtis Nickel, MD, FRCSC - Urology |
|
Last Revised
| December 3, 2011 |
Last Revised:
December 3, 2011
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.
Anothaisintawee T, et al. (2011). Management of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. JAMA, 305(1): 78–86.
