title: α-adrenergic blockers for the treatment of lower-urinary-tract symptoms and dysfunction in women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of α-adrenergic blockers in the treatment of female lower-urinary-tract symptoms and dysfunction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature searches were conducted using EMBASE (1974 to January 2014), International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970 to January 2014), and MEDLINE (1946 to January 2014) to identify clinical trials evaluating the effects of α-adrenergic blockers in the treatment of women with lower-urinary-tract dysfunction. Bibliographies from relevant research articles were also reviewed for inclusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  All original research articles available in the English language were identified from the data sources. Primary literature evaluating outcomes related to urinary dysfunction and associated symptoms in women were included in this review. Articles describing the use of α-adrenergic blockers in other medical conditions or in men were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 15 clinical studies were identified and evaluated. Many studies showed an improvement in female lower-urinary-tract symptoms and dysfunction using α-adrenergic blockers. Most studies also reported adverse drug events of α-adrenergic blockers such as dizziness and hypotension. However, limitations of the studies conducted to date include small sample sizes, inconsistent study designs, and short duration of therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The role of α-adrenergic blockers in the treatment of urinary dysfunction and associated symptoms in women remains unclear. The majority of evidence suggests that these agents may have a place in therapy for female lower-urinary-tract symptoms and/or bladder outlet obstruction; however, data are conflicting. Clinicians should be aware of the potential clinical benefits but also recognize the potential adverse drug effects of α-adrenergic blockers.
authors.affiliation: UAB Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hilas
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D001748:Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
keywords: alfuzosin; doxazosin; prazosin; silodosin; tamsulosin; terazosin; urinary dysfunction; urinary frequency; urinary incontinence and women; urinary symptoms; urinary urgency; α-adrenergic blockers