Common Medications

You’ve tried watchful waiting. You’ve made healthy lifestyle changes. But you’re still living with BPH symptoms. Perhaps it’s time to talk to your doctor, who may recommend medication.

Alpha blockers
Common resources indicate this type of medication helps to relax the muscles in the bladder and prostate, allowing urine to flow more freely. Most men see improvements in a couple of days. But some also experience side effects such as dizziness or a decrease in ejaculation.¹ Common alpha blockers include generic and brand names:

• Alfuzosin (Uroxatral™)
• Doxazosin (Cardura™)
• Silodosin (Rapaflo™)
• Tamsulosin (Flomax™)
• Terazosin (Hytrin™)

5-alpha reductase inhibitors
These drugs are designed to stop the growth of your prostate or even shrink its size – by lowering the production of the hormone DHT. The downside? They can lower sex drive and cause erectile dysfunction. Plus, you need to be patient. It can take three to six months for symptom relief.¹ Commonly known drugs include:

• Finasteride (Proscar™)
• Dutasteride (Avodart™) 

Tadalafil (Cialis™)
It’s known as an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction but is also used to treat symptoms of BPH.

Combination drug therapy
Are two BPH drugs more effective than one? Doctors often recommend combination therapy when an alpha blocker or 5-alpha reductase inhibitor isn’t working on its own. Naturally, you should discuss the use of any complementary drug or herbal remedies with your doctor. While some patients experience relief, using these medications, using them together may lead to using these medications together may lead to side effects such as a reduction in sex drive and erectile dysfunction.¹