Almost all men develop benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), or enlarged prostate, with age. About half of men between ages 50 and 80 have the condition, and approximately 90% of men over 80 have it. The cause is not known, although it is thought to have to do with testosterone—a male hormone. Prostate enlargement can interfere with urination, which can lead to bladder and kidney infections. Medications to shrink the prostate are the most common method of treatment.
Alpha Blockers treat BPH by relaxing muscles throughout the body, to allow better urinary flow. Alpha blockers are also blood pressure medications and can therefore cause lightheadness in some, which is why they are usually taken at night:
- Flomax (tamsulosin)–capsules are taken once daily in a dose of 0.4 mg.
- Uroxatral (alfuzosin)–is taken orally, 10 mg once daily.
- Cardura (doxazosin)–is taken in tablet form, 10 mg once a day.
- Minipress (prazosin)–is not recommended for treatment of BPH by the American Urological Association, but some research suggests that it can be taken in capsule form, usually in a dose of 2 mg per day.
- Rapaflo (silodosin)–is taken in a dose of 8 mg per day with a meal.
- Hytrin (terazosin)–is taken orally, 0.5 mg at night.
5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors (5-ARIs) help to shrink the prostate and keep it from further enlargement:
- Proscar (finasteride)–is taken by mouth, 5 mg per day.
- Avodart (dutasteride)–0.5 mg soft gelatin capsule is taken orally once daily with or without food.
Phosphodiesterase (PDES) 5 Inhibitors relax smooth muscle of the bladder and prostate:
- Viagra (sildenafil)–is taken in pill form, 25 or 50 mg per day.
- Cialis (tadalafil)–is taken once a day in a dose of 5 mg.
- Levitra (vardenafil)–is taken orally at a dose of 10 mg per day.
In cases of BPH that are resistant to medical therapy, surgical intervention can be considered.
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