Examples of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors include dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar).
5-alpha reductase inhibitors work by interfering with the effect of certain male hormones. These male hormones (androgens) contribute to the growth of the prostate, so by working against these hormones, this class of drugs can slow the growth of the prostate and can even cause it to become smaller, which may help improve the symptoms of benign Prostatic hypertrophy.
This class of drugs are not usually recommended for men that have BPH symptoms but not a noticeably enlarged prostate. When patients stop taking this medication, symptoms have been known to return. Some men may find their symptoms improving after 6 months or longer. It may take up to 6 to 12 months before symptom improvement is noticeable.
Though this class of medications seem generally well-tolerated, though side effects can include:
- Decrease sex drive
- Difficulty obtaining an erection
- Increased ejaculatory dysfunction
For more comprehensive list of possible side effects and risks, please consult with your physician or manufacturers of these medications.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) can generally be used to detect early stage prostate cancer. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can reduce the PSA level, so it is generally advisable to thoroughly screen for prostate cancer before initiating this type of therapy. It is always recommended to screen for malignancies with your physician before any type of therapy.
This medication should not be used by men who plan to have children as there is a small possibility this type of medication could cause birth defects. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not touch broken or crushed tablets of finasteride or dutasteride.
Reference:
- AUA Practice Guidelines Committee (2003). AUA guideline on management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (2003). Chapter 1: Diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Journal of Urology, 170(2, Part 1): 530–547.
- Webber R (2005). Benign prostatic hyperplasia. Clinical Evidence (13): 1093–1109.
- Roehrborn CG, et al. (2002). Efficacy and safety of dual inhibitor of 5-alpha-reductase types 1 and 2 (dutasteride) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urology, 60(3): 434–441.
- McConnell JD, et al. (2003). The long-term effect of doxazosin, finasteride, and combination therapy on the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia. New England Journal of Medicine, 349(25): 2387–2398.
- WebMD
- Healthwise
|
