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Alpha Blockers for BPH

Nonsurgical / Minimally Invasive Options

Most often used medications for BPH

Alpha-blockers relax muscles in the bladder neck and prostate so that urine can flow more easily.

Alpha-blockers: Non-selective and selective

Alpha-blockers relieve the symptoms of BPH by relaxing the "smooth" muscles of the prostate and the bladder neck. In effect, alpha-blockers "unclamp" the hose (the urethra) allowing urine to flow more freely. Although alpha-blockers do not change the size of the prostate, they work quickly to relieve symptoms, sometimes in a matter of days or weeks. All the alpha-blockers used in the treatment of BPH are considered to be equally effective but their side effects differ.8

Some alpha-blockers also relax the muscles in the blood vessels and may lower blood pressure. This can cause symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness (especially when standing or sitting up abruptly), and fainting. These alpha-blockers may not be a good choice for men who already take medicines for high blood pressure or men with normal or low blood pressure.
Selective alpha-blockers like RAPAFLO® work specifically to relax muscles in the prostate and bladder neck and does not have much of an effect on blood pressure. RAPAFLO is the newest of the selective alpha-blockers. It was designed to target just the areas of the body involved in BPH: the prostate and neck of the bladder, the urethra, and surrounding tissues.

The selective action of RAPAFLO provides rapid relief of BPH symptoms. Urine flow improves within 2 to 6 hours of taking the first dose. And improvement in symptoms can be felt in just 3 to 4 days. RAPAFLO relieves both urination problems and problems with storing urine.

Urination problems: delay or difficulty in starting the urine stream, weak urinary stream, stream that starts and stops, incomplete emptying of the bladder.
Urine storage problems: frequent urination, urge to urinate right away, waking at night to urinate

Side effects of alpha-blockers may include lightheadedness upon standing or sitting up abruptly, dizziness, tiredness, headache, and nasal congestion. With highly selective agents, it is also common for men to experience orgasm with reduced or no semen. Side effects stop if medication is stopped.

Learn more about How RAPAFLO Can Help

5-Alpha-reductase inhibitors:

These oral medications, known as 5-ARIs, are only useful for men with relatively large prostate glands.8 The 5-ARIs shrink the prostate but it may take more than 6 months before any improvements in symptoms are felt.9 Side effects of 5-ARIs are mainly related to sexual function and include impotence, decreased libido (sexual desire), reduced semen with ejaculation, other ejaculation problems, and breast tenderness and/or enlargement.9

Work with your doctor.

If you stop treatment, BPH symptoms may return.

Since every man is different, you and your doctor will work together to find the right medication at the right dose. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe more than one type of drug to control BPH.8

Some plant products such as saw palmetto and Pygeum africanum have been used in other parts of the world to relieve the symptoms of BPH.10 However, there is no definitive clinical evidence that shows they are effective in the treatment of BPH, and the American Urological Association does not recommend their use.8

References

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Data on file, Watson Pharma, Inc.
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Bruskewitz RC. Quality of life and sexual function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Rev Urol. 2003;5(2):72-80
Roberts RO, Jacobsen SJ, Rhodes T, et al. Natural history of prostatism: impaired health status in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. J Urol. 1997;157:1711-1717
RAPAFLO™ (silodosin) full prescribing information. Corona, CA: Watson Pharma Inc. October 2008.
Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research (U.S. Dept Health and Human Services): Quick Tips When Talking With Your Doctor. Available at: http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/quicktips/doctalk.htm.
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National Institute on Aging: Talking With Your Doctor. Available at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/TalkingWithYourDoctor/. Accessed March 5, 2009.
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Shvartzman P, Borkan JM, Stoliar L, et al. Second-hand prostatism: effects of prostatic symptoms on spouses’ quality of life, daily routines and family relationships. Family Pract. 2001;18:610-613.
Kuritzky L. A primary care physician’s perspective on benign prostatic hyperplasia. Rev Urol. 2003;5(suppl 5):S42-S48.
Wolters R, et al: Lower urinary tract symptoms: social influence is more important than symptoms in seeking medical care. BJU Int. 2002;90:655–661.
Rosen RC, Giuliano F, Cason CC. Sexual dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Eur Urol 2005;47:824–837.
Ponholzer A, Madersbacher S. Lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction; Links for diagnosis, management and treatment. Int J Impot Res. 2007;19:544-550.
Straus SM, Kors JA, De Bruin ML, et al. Prolonged QTc interval and risk of sudden cardiac death in a population of older adults. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2006;47:362-367.
Nomiya M, Yamaguchi O. A quantitative analysis of mRNA expression of alpha 1 and beta-adrenoceptor subtypes and their functional roles in human normal and obstructed bladders. J Urol. 2003;170(2 Pt 1):649-653.
Murata S, Taniguchi T, Takahashi M, et al. Tissue selectivity of KMD-3213, an alpha(1)-adrenoreceptor antagonist, in human prostate and vasculature. J Urol. 2000;164:578-583.
Stafford-Smith M, Bartz R, Wilson K, et al. Alpha-adrenergic mRNA subtype expression in the human nasal turbinate. Can J Anesth. 2007;54:549-555.
Cialis® (tadalafil) full Prescribing Information. Indianapolis IN: Eli Lilly and Co.; June 2007.
Viagra® (sildenafil) full Prescribing Information. New York, NY: Pfizer Inc. October 2006.
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McConnell JD, Roehrborn CG, Bautista OM, et al. The long-term effect of doxazosin, finasteride, and combination therapy on the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia. N Engl J Med. 2003;18:2387-2398
Issa MM, Regan T. Medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia—present and future impact. Am J Manag Care. 2007;13:S4-S9.
Wei JT, Calhoun E, Jacobsen SJ. Urologic Diseases in America Project: benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2008;179(5 Suppl.):S75-S80.
Berry SJ, Coffey DS, Walsh PC, et al. The development of human benign prostatic hyperplasia with age. J Urol. 1984;132:474.
Hernández C, Estivill E, Prieto M, et al. Nocturia in Spanish patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). Curr Med Res Opin. 2008;24(4):1033-1038
Schwinn DA, Roehrborn CG alpha-1 Adrenoreceptor subtypes and lower urinary tract symptoms. Int J Urol. 2008; 15:193-199.
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Atlas of Human Anatomy, Frank H. Netter, MD, Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Summit, NJ, 1989.

RAPAFLO is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

RAPAFLO is not indicated for the treatment of hypertension.

Important Safety Information

RAPAFLO is approved to treat male urinary symptoms due to BPH, also called an enlarged prostate. RAPAFLO should not be used to treat high blood pressure. Only your doctor can tell if you have BPH, not a more serious condition like prostate cancer. RAPAFLO should not be used in patients with severe liver or kidney disease as well as those taking certain antifungal or HIV drugs. Avoid driving or hazardous tasks until you know how RAPAFLO will affect you, as a sudden drop in blood pressure may occur, rarely resulting in fainting. If considering cataract surgery, tell your eye surgeon you're currently taking RAPAFLO or have taken it in the past. Side effects include orgasm with reduced or no semen, dizziness, diarrhea, lightheadedness upon standing or sitting up abruptly, headache, swelling of the throat and nasal passages, and stuffy nose.