title: Alpha adrenoceptor blockade in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: past, present and future.
abstract: The treatment of BPH by alpha blockade is built upon a sound anatomical, physiological and pharmacological rationale. The theory is borne out in clinical practice; alpha adrenoceptor antagonists have been shown in placebo-controlled studies to improve symptoms of BPH and increase urinary flow rate. In hypertensive patients, there is a clinically significant reduction in blood pressure, with little or no effect on the blood pressure of normotensive patients with BPH. The development of selective alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonists with a gradual onset and long duration of action has improved the tolerability and makes this class of drug a valuable alternative to surgery in many cases. Further refinements in the selectivity of alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonists may enable even better targeted alpha blockade for BPH in the future by specific antagonism of the alpha-1 A adrenoceptor, although this hypothesis has yet to be confirmed clinically.
authors.affiliation: St George's Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pool
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003657:Decision Making; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D018579:Patient Selection; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists