Prescription Medications
Currently, there are two types of drugs available for treating BPH-related urinary symptoms: alpha-blockers and enzyme inhibitors.
Alpha-blocker drugs, which are much more widely used than enzyme inhibitors, help relax the smooth muscle in the prostate that constricts the urethra and bladder neck when the muscle tightens. Alpha-blocker drugs currently available include three long-acting drugs that are taken once per day -- terazosin (Hytrin), doxazosin (Cardura), and tamsulosin (Flomax) -- and one short-acting drug -- alfuzosin (Xatral) -- taken two or three times per day, depending on its formulation.
Enzyme-inhibitor drugs block the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the form of testosterone that stimulates prostate-cell growth. The action of the enzyme inhibitor causes the prostate to shrink, relieving urinary symptoms of BPH.
