BPH Medications
Below are some facts that are related to BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia medications that are used to treat prostate gland enlargement.
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These medications are used to control or manage symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. These symptoms include mild to severe urination problems which can be accompanied by pain.
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Generally, symptoms will disappear when patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia take BPH medications. However, when the medications are stopped, the symptoms usually come back.
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These generally are categorized into two. These two categories are alpha blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Alpha blockers are used to make particular muscles relax including those at the prostate and the ones in the bladder outlet which can make urination much easier. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like finasteride and dutasteride on the other hand are used to decrease the size of the prostate so that pressure from the urethra can be relieved and symptoms of BPH will be controlled.
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Antibiotics are often given to treat chronic prostatitis which can appear when BPH is present. There are some patients who experience relief of symptoms after taking antibiotics.
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When symptoms of BPH include incontinence, blood in the urine that are recurrent, failure of the kidneys, appearance of bladder stones, urinary retention occurs, and recurrent urinary tract infections, surgery of the prostate is often recommended.
BPH Medications to Avoid
There are certain medications that should be avoided when male patients have benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH. These medications include the following:
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Antihistamines, allergy pills, and decongestants that include nasal sprays that are not prescribed by the doctor.
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There are also prescription drugs that should be avoided when patients have BPH. These medications include water pills or diuretics, antidepressants, and narcotics or pain medicines.
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During the onset and the entire time patients have BPH, they should avoid gels, injections, and implants of testosterone.
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It is best for patients to check with a doctor and a pharmacist about side effects to carefully avoid those that create harsh reactions.
BPH Medications Side Effects
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Alpha blockers which may include doxazosin, tamsulosin, prazosin, amd alfuzosin have its own side effects. These side effects include dizziness, feelings of tiredness, nasal congestion, headaches and fainting. Patients can also experience retrograde ejaculation or when the semen goes through the bladder during ejaculation instead of moving out to the urethra. Rare side effects that have been reported include decrease in libido and erectile dysfunction.
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5-alpha-reductase inhibitors also contribute to a number of side effects which include enlargement of the breasts, low libido, erectile dysfunction, and general sexual dysfunction.