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Are there any prescription treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia ?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a very common condition in men as they age. It’s caused by enlargement of the prostate gland. Since the prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube urine passes through, it can prevent the bladder from emptying completely. Half of all men have BPH by the time they reach age 60.

Depending on how severe your symptoms are, your doctor may recommend surgery or medication. Surgery offers the most immediate and long-lasting effect. There are many different kinds of surgeries for BPH. Talk to your doctor about which surgery is best for you. Five years after surgery, 90 percent of men continue to report relief from symptoms. Surgery does carry the risks of infection and nerve damage. About two percent of men who undergo surgery experience nerve damage and impotence.

Antiandrogens and alpha-blockers are two groups of prescription drugs that can reduce the symptoms of BPH. Finasteride (brand name Proscar) is an antiandrogen drug. It relieves symptoms for up to 50 percent of men who take it. To get the full effect of this drug, you must take it for at least six months. Dutasteride (Avodart) is another medication in this category.

Alpha-blocker drugs like >prazosin (Minipres), >terazosin (Hytrin), >doxazosin (Cardura), and >tamsulosin (Flomax) relieve symptoms in 60 to 70 percent of men after three to four months of treatment. The number of men who continue to report relief drops to 40 percent if therapy continues for one year or more. About two percent of men who take a prescription drug for BPH report impotence while taking their medication.

Sources:
Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs. Applied Therapeutics, 1995.
Walsh, P.C. Campbell's Urology. W. B. Saunders Company, 1998.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2007.
Diseases and Conditions, "Prostate gland enlargement." http://www.mayoclinic.com. Mayo Clinic Health. Last accessed 1/2/2007.
Drug Facts and Comparisons. Facts & Comparisons, 2007.

This answer prepared 5/22/2000.
This information updated 1/2/2007.