Drug Therapy

Common first-line treatment

There are two main classes of drugs that treat the symptoms of BPH:

  • Alpha blockers make urination easier by relaxing smooth muscle tissue in the prostate and outlet of the bladder. Flomax® is a commonly prescribed alpha blocker.
  • 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors suppress blood flow and the hormones that stimulate prostate growth. Proscar® is a commonly prescribed 5-alpha reductase inhibitor.

Taking a pill is an easy solution, and most men begin treating their BPH with prescription drugs. You must take the pill every day for the rest of your life to keep up the drug's effect in improving your symptoms. Lifelong drug therapy can be expensive. For example, Flomax can cost more than $1,000 per year.1 Drug costs may be paid for by prescription drug insurance, if you have coverage.

Side effects reported for various BPH drugs have included headaches, abnormal ejaculation, stuffy nose, dizziness, impotence, tiredness and decreased libido (sex drive).2

Flomax is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim. Proscar is a registered trademark of Merck & Co. Inc.