BPH or Enlarged Prostate — Medication Treatment

Several drugs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of BPH or enlarged prostate. These drugs may relieve the BPH or enlarged prostate symptoms and are the most common treatment for alleviating symptoms of BPH or enlarged prostate.

They generally fall into two main categories, alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.

These medications help to relax particular muscles, including the muscles in your prostate and bladder outlet, making urination easier. The most common side effects with alpha-blockers are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache and tiredness. Men who experience alpha-blocker side effects from treatment should talk to their doctor.

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These medications are used to shrink the prostate and relieve pressure on the urethra. As the prostate shrinks, men who have large prostates may notice improvement in their enlarged prostate symptoms. 5-Alpha-reductase inhibitors take a long time to work — sometimes more than six months. Side effects of these medications may include impotence, decreased sex drive, and reduced semen release during ejaculation.