Alpha-1 blockers
- Relax vascular + prostate smooth muscle
- Tamsulosin-like drugs mainly treat BPH
- Prazosin/doxazosin/terazosin also lower BP
- Rapid relief of urinary obstruction symptoms
- Orthostasis/syncope esp first doses
- Tamsulosin → less BP effect, more ejaculatory AE
- Prazosin has a PTSD-nightmare niche
Class at a glance
- Relax vascular + prostate smooth muscle
Practical pearls
- Tamsulosin → less BP effect, more ejaculatory AE
Clinical role
- Tamsulosin-like drugs mainly treat BPH
- Prazosin/doxazosin/terazosin also lower BP
Safety / monitoring
- Rapid relief of urinary obstruction symptoms
- Orthostasis/syncope esp first doses
- Prazosin has a PTSD-nightmare niche
Self-check
- What do Tamsulosin-like drugs mainly treat?
BPH. - What distinguishes Prazosin?
a PTSD-nightmare niche.
Drugs in this class (6)
Alpha-1 blockers prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, BPH meds (1987–2026). Alpha blocker highlighted from 1987.
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