How do 5-alpha reductase inhibitors differ from alpha blocking drugs?

How do 5-alpha reductase inhibitors differ from alpha blocking drugs?

Unlike alpha-blockers, which work by reducing smooth muscle tone, 5-ARIs improve LUTS by reducing prostate volume. Thus, patients with larger prostates may achieve a greater benefit. Maximal reduction in prostate volume requires 6 months of therapy.

What drugs are 5-alpha reductase inhibitors?

Drugs in the 5-ARI class are finasteride and dutasteride. These drugs are marketed under the brand-names Proscar, Propecia, Avodart, and Jalyn. Finasteride is available in two different strengths: Proscar 5 mg tablets and Propecia 1 mg tablets.

What does a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor do?

5-alpha reductase inhibitors are used to shrink an enlarged prostate gland and to improve the flow of urine in a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A 5-alpha reductase inhibitor is a type of enzyme inhibitor.

What happens when you block 5-alpha reductase?

DHT plays a role in prostate growth, acne, growth of facial hair, and male pattern baldness. The 5ARIs work by suppressing the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. This decreases the amount of DHT your body produces.

What is the difference between tamsulosin and doxazosin?

alpha 1-Adrenoceptor blockers such as prazosin and doxazosin are used to treat hypertension as well as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), whereas the new alpha 1-adrenoceptor blocker tamsulosin is used only for BPH and does not reduce blood pressure at the doses used to relax prostatic smooth muscle.

Which alpha blocker is best for BPH?

Many consider alfuzosin 10 mg to be the superior alpha blocker currently available for treating BPH because it achieves clinically significant improvements in LUTS and has no significant effects on dizziness, asthenia, and ejaculatory dysfunction.

Who should not take 5-alpha reductase inhibitors?

5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitors should not be used during pregnancy as they inhibit the conversion of testosterone to 5‐alpha‐ dihydrotestosterone. This may cause abnormalities of the external genitalia of a male fetus 4.

What is DHT used for?

DHT is biologically important for sexual differentiation of the male genitalia during embryogenesis, maturation of the penis and scrotum at puberty, growth of facial, body, and pubic hair, and development and maintenance of the prostate gland and seminal vesicles.

Does DHT blocker help hair growth?

Yes! DHT blockers are the most effective hair loss treatment. A study by the American Academy of Dermatology found that finasteride is effective at DHT blocking. Not only does it halt hair loss, but it can even help with future growth.

What happens when you inhibit DHT?

High levels of DHT block essential nutrients from reaching the hair follicles, which causes hair to degrade, shrink, and eventually stop growing thus leading to baldness.

When are 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors indicated?

The FDA currently has two approved indications for 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. These conditions include benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and androgenic alopecia (male pattern hair loss). While not approved by the FDA, clinicians have used 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors in the management of hirsutism.

Is there a better drug than tamsulosin?

Doctors also prescribe four other drugs in this class to treat the symptoms of BPH: alfuzosin (Uroxatral) doxazosin (Cardura) silodosin (Rapaflo)