Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in men characterized by enlargement of the prostate gland, which is located between the penis and the bladder.
Symptoms of BPH include not being able to fully empty your bladder, trouble urinating, increased urinary frequency, increased urgency to urinate, trouble starting a urine stream or a weak stream, and dribbling urination.
Men who wanted relief from BPH had to undergo surgery but in recent years, that has changed – thanks to oral medications. Pharma companies have developed several medicines that can give you more choices to treat your BPH symptoms.
Generic Drugs for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Oral medicines are now the most common way to treat BPH. BPH drugs fall under three main categories: alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.
Alpha-Blockers
Alpha-blockers work by relaxing the muscles in your bladder and prostate, making it easier to urinate. Please note that these drugs do not change your prostate size, but help with urine flow. Alpha-blockers are a good option for men with high blood pressure and BPH. Generic drugs for BPH that fall under the category alpha-blockers include:
- Alfuzosin (Generic Uroxatral)
- Doxazosin (Generic Cardura)
- Prazosin (Generic Minipress)
- Silodosin (Generic Rapaflo)
- Tamsulosin (Generic Flomax)
- Terazosin (Generic Hytrin)
5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors
As the name suggests, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors block the secretion of the enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. By inhibiting this enzyme, the drugs stop the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, thus preventing or even shirking the growth of the gland. These drugs improve urine flow and other BPH symptoms. There are two main 5-alpha reductase inhibitors:
- Finasteride (Generic Proscar)
- Dutasteride (Generic Avodart)
Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors
Shortly known as PDE5 inhibitors, these drugs are predominantly used to treat erectile dysfunction. The drugs smooth muscles in the bladder and prostate, easing BPH symptoms. Although there are several kinds of PDE5 inhibitors, the FDA has approved only one drug to treat BPH, which includes:
- Tadalafil (Generic Cialis)
Other PDE5 inhibitors that are not advised for the treatment of BPH include sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra), and avanafil (Stendra).
The above-mentioned generic drugs cannot cure BPH, but they ease troublesome symptoms of the condition. Always let your doctor know if you want to switch to generic drugs for BPH.
