Phenoxybenzamine: A Permanent Solution?
Other alpha-blockers, cause a return of symptoms once the medication is discontinued, however, the effect of phenoxybenzamine is permanent.
Phenoxybenzamine was one of the first alpha-blockers studied for its ability to reduce some symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
As a non-specific alpha-blocker, early studies reported that phenoxybenzamine successfully relaxes the urethra and reduces the frequency of urination in patients with BPH.
Though lower doses of phenoxybenzamine may be used to relieve bladder obstruction before surgery, it is rarely used in the treatment of BPH due to its adverse effects.
Some of the side effects and risks of using phenoxybenzamine are:
– stuffy nose
– mild dizziness or drowsiness
– blurred vision
– trouble having an orgasm
– upset stomach
– tired feeling.
– impotence
– ejaculatory dysfunction
– fainting
– fast heartbeat
– vomiting
Phenoxybenzamine also carries the potential risk for irregular absorption and mutation, which can cause adverse effects and permanent damage.
Another downside to phenoxybenzamine is that, just like the other alpha-blockers, phenoxybenzamine does not reduce the size of an enlarged prostate, but rather treats some of the urinary symptoms. However, there is a class of medications that can shrink the prostate itself. These medications are known as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.
Medication is not for everyone, and many find that a non-invasive procedure such as Prostate Artery Embolization, which we specialize in here at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional is a better fit.
However, medication is still worth being knowledgeable about, especially if your provider has suggested it as part of your treatment plan. It’s important to know what these medications do, as well as their benefits and their risks.
In our next article, we will continue our look into medications that are used to treat the symptoms of BPH, by focusing on the use of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors in the treatment of an enlarged prostate.
