Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Clinic A/P, adults, Hospital A/P, Adults, UROLOGY

Drugs for BPH

Three medications with proven efficacy as monotherapy for treating BPH and lower urinary symptoms are:

  • Tamsulosin (an alpha-adrenergic blocker)
  • Finasteride (a 5-a-reductase inhibitor (if there is evidence of prostatic enlargement or a PSA level >1.5 ng/mL)
  • Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor,

Antimuscarinics are sometimes used but do not have proven efficacy as monotherapy.

“Tamsulosin selectively antagonizes prostate alpha-1a adrenergic receptors, relaxing smooth muscles and improving urine flow (peripherally-acting alpha blocker)” Epocrates

 

Reference/Further Reading

Benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms. N Engl J Med 2012;367(3):248-257.

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