Alpha blockers act on the spasm of the muscles around the prostate and bladder neck. They act on the symptoms of obstruction of urine flow.
All alpha blockers are about as effective in reducing symptoms, but they can cause low blood pressure and fainting. Some cause ejaculation problems.
Alfuzosin (Uroxatral) seems to have the fewest side effects
tamsulosin (Flomax)
doxazosin (Cardura)
terazosin (Hytrin)
Other alpha blockers are used for high blood pressure, e.g., Minipress
5 Alpha reductase inhibitors act against the hormones that make the prostate grow. They work by stopping the growth of the prostate and hpefully by making it shrink, thereby reducing the pressure on the outlet of the bladder.
Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia)
Dutasteride (Avodart)
Your urologist may use a combination of alpha blockers and 5 alpha reductase inhibitors.
These drugs act on hormones so may have hormone related side effects - loss of libido, etc. Women who are exposed to Dutestaride when pregnant may have sons with malformed genitalia.
