The Prostate & BPH

A Natural Part of Aging. Treatable Symptoms. Take Action.

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Like clamping a garden hose.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that sits just below the bladder in men. Passing through the prostate is the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis.4 As men grow older, the prostate gland becomes larger.4 This enlargement of the prostate is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, for short. In some men, the growing prostate may begin to squeeze on the urethra and prevent urine from flowing properly, much like a clamp on a garden hose. The bladder has to work harder to squeeze urine out through the urethra and soon loses the ability to empty itself completely.4 This leads to symptoms such as frequent urination, waking at night to urinate, and a feeling that the bladder is not quite empty. Over time, BPH symptoms, if left untreated, can lead to more serious complications such as inability to urinate, urinary tract infections, and bladder damage.4

Quick Facts:

  • An enlarged prostate (BPH) is very common in aging men, as common as gray hair.4
  • BPH can prevent urine from flowing properly.
  • More than half of men in their 60s and up to 90% of men in their 70s and 80s have some symptoms of BPH.4

For some men, symptoms of BPH can interfere with normal activities, especially sleep and sexual function.5,6 But there's good news. Treatments are available that can relieve BPH symptoms quickly, sometimes in a matter of days. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and about getting treated.

Talk to your doctor—BPH can be treated

BPH is a manageable condition, especially when treated early. Severe BPH symptoms that are left untreated can lead to more serious complications such as inability to urinate, urinary tract infections, and bladder damage.4 So, for the sake of your loved ones, for the sake of your health, don't "tough it out." Talk to your doctor about your symptoms, especially if they are bothering you or interfering with your normal activities. Your doctor may refer you to a urologist—a physician who specializes in treating problems of the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. But the only way your doctor will know that you have symptoms is if you speak up!

References
  1. Fenter TC, Naslund MJ, Shah MB, et al. The cost of treating the 10 most prevalent diseases in men 50 years of age or older. Am J Manag Care. 2006;12(4 suppl):S90-S98.
  2. RAPAFLO® (silodosin) Capsules full Prescribing Information, November 2009.
  3. Marks LS, Gittelman MC, Hill LA, Volinn W, Hoel G. Rapid efficacy of the highly selective α1A-adrenoceptor antagonist silodosin in men with signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia: pooled results of 2 phase 3 studies. J Urol. 2009;181:2634-2640.
  4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Prostate enlargement: benign prostatic hyperplasia. NIH Publication No. 07-3012. June 2006.
  5. Bruskewitz RC. Quality of life and sexual function in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Rev Urol. 2003;5:72-80.
  6. 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.
  7. http://www.dictionary.com
  8. Atlas of Human Anatomy, Frank H. Netter, MD, Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Summit, NJ, 1989.
  9. Data on file, Watson Laboratories, Inc.
  10. Marks LS, Gittelman MC, Hill LA, Volinn W, Hoel G. Silodosin in the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a 9-month, open-label extension study. Urology. 2009;74:1318-1322.
  11. 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. Accessed July 28, 2010.
  12. American Urological Association. AUA guideline on management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (2003). Chapter 1: Diagnosis and treatment recommendations. J Urol. 2003;170:530-547.
  13. Fagelman E, Lowe FC. Herbal medications in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Urol Clin N Am. 2002;29:23-29, vii.
  14. National Institute on Aging: Talking With Your Doctor: A Guide For Older People. NIH Publication No. 05-3452. August 2005 (Reprinted April 2010). Available at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/90DF996C-DF5F-4245-B7CA-B2E1B993D8C7/0/TWYD_0521_web.pdf. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  15. Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia from NIH: Enlarged Prostate. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000381.htm. Accessed July 29, 2010.
  16. 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.
  17. Kuritzky L. A primary care physician’s perspective on benign prostatic hyperplasia. Rev Urol. 2003;5(suppl 5):S42-S48.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. MacDiarmid SA, Hill LA, Volinn W, Hoel G. Lack of pharmacodynamic interaction of silodosin, a highly selective α1a-adrenoceptor antagonist, with the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors sildenafil and tadalafil in healthy men. Urology. 2010;75:520-525.
  22. Marks LS. Reply to editorial comment. Urology. 2009;74:1323-1324.
  23. Schwinn DA, Roehrborn CG. α1-Adrenoceptor subtypes and lower urinary tract symptoms. Int J Urol. 2008;15:193-199.
  24. 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.
  25. Carbone DJ, Hodges S. Medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia: sexual dysfunction and impact on quality of life. Int J Impot Res. 2003;15:299-306.
  26. 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.
  27. Murata S, Taniguchi T, Takahashi M, et al. Tissue selectivity of KMD-3213, an α1-adrenoreceptor antagonist, in human prostate and vasculature. J Urol. 2000;164:578-583.
  28. 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.
  29. Wei JT, Calhoun E, Jacobsen SJ. Urologic Diseases in America Project: benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2008;179(5 Suppl.):S75-S80.
  30. Issa MM, Regan T. Medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia—present and future impact. Am J Manag Care. 2007;13:S4-S9.
  31. Berry SJ, Coffey DS, Walsh PC, et al. The development of human benign prostatic hyperplasia with age. J Urol. 1984;132:474.
  32. Nickel JC. Comparison of clinical trials with finasteride and dutasteride. Rev Urol. 2004;6 Suppl 9:S31-39.
  33. 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;24:1033-1038.

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 available only by prescription and 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 a decrease or absence of semen during sex, dizziness, diarrhea, lightheadedness upon standing or sitting up abruptly, headache, swelling of the throat and nasal passages, and stuffy nose.

To report suspected adverse reactions, contact Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-800-272-5525
or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.