Urology

Alpha blockers

Alpha blockers are medications used mainly to lower blood pressure. They are also used in male patients with an enlarged prostate gland who have problems with passing urine.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as benign prostatic enlargement, is a condition that causes the prostate gland to enlarge.

When this happens, it can make it hard to urinate (pee) because the prostate presses on the urethra. It can also cause urine to remain in your bladder, causing bladder stones and infections (1).

BPH progression may produce complications including chronic kidney disease, gross hematuria, urinary incontinence, recurrent urinary tract infection, bladder diverticula, bladder stones (2).

The evolution of alpha blocker therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has focused on improving convenience and tolerability.

Alpha blockers are the most effective, least costly, and best tolerated of the drugs for relieving LUTS (3).

How alpha-blockers help?

The primary therapeutic outcome of BPH therapy is restoring adequate urinary flow with minimal treatment-related adverse effects (2). The evolution of alpha blocker therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has focused on improving convenience and tolerability. Indications for treating BPH include reversing signs and symptoms or preventing progression of the disease. The indication that most commonly drives the need for intervention is relief of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with the intent of improving quality of life (3).

Recovery and outlook? (1)

The primary therapeutic outcome of BPH therapy is restoring adequate urinary flow with minimal treatment-related adverse effects. Outcome depends on the patient’s perception of effectiveness and acceptability of therapy (2).

References

  1. Alpha-blockers. Cleveland Clinic. [Online] [Cited: July 2, 2024.] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22321-alpha-blockers.
  2. L. Schwinghammer, Terry, et al. Pharmacotherapy Handbook.
  3. Lepor, Herbert. Alpha Blockers for the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. PubMed Central. [Online] [Cited: July 1, 2024.] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2213889/.

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