Alpha adrenergic blockers in the treatment of benign hyperplasia of the prostate

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common benign tumor in men has been attributed to age and male androgen functions. Of the various management options for treatment of BPH, medical therapy is the first line treatment modality involving either blockade of alpha adrenergic receptors or inhibition of 5-alpha reductase. Amongst these, the alpha-1 blockers are used most frequently. The association of numerous adverse effects with non selective and short acting alpha-1 blockers (like phenoxybenzamine, prazosin and alfuzosin) has led to the development of long acting alpha-1 adrenoceptor blockers (doxazosin, terazosin, tamulosin) which being uroselective significantly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular side effects and increase patient compliance. The review gives a brief account of pharmacological properties and efficacy of alpha adrenergic receptor blockers in the treatment of BPH.