How they work

Alpha blockers and 5-ARIs work in different ways. Alpha blockers work by helping muscles around the bladder and prostate relax. This allows the free flow of urine and can help manage symptoms of BPH. 5-ARIs are a type of medication that help reduce the size of your prostate, stalling its growth and eventually causing it to shrink. This lets urine flow freely again and manages the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.^3,4 
 

When are they prescribed?

Alpha blockers are usually the first treatment prescribed by a doctor unless the size of your prostate is quite large. Usually the medications begin to act in a few days or weeks and you should be able to see a change in your BPH symptoms. After a trial period of 4 weeks, if there’s no change, your doctor may switch your prescription and try another alpha blocker or a 5-ARI.¹ 
 
5-ARIs are usually prescribed to men with a larger prostate (>30cc) and can take weeks to months to show a reduction in size of the prostate. They can also be prescribed as a combination therapy with an alpha blocker. 5-ARIs are designed to shrink the prostate itself.^1,5 
 

Common alpha blockers and 5-ARIs^6-12 

You may have heard of one of these medications as a treatment to manage the symptoms of BPH: 

There are several considerations to bear in mind while choosing treatment with either an alpha blocker or a 5-ARI. Below is a list highlighting key benefits for each followed by some common side effects.

Now that you have a better understanding of these medications, you can have a more informed discussion with your doctor about your treatment options. It’s also important to know that there are other proven and innovative treatment options for BPH. While medications can help manage symptoms of an enlarged prostate, they have to be taken consistently to work, and some don’t actually reduce the tissue causing BPH symptoms. Minimally invasive treatment options can provide lasting relief without the daily hassle of remembering to take your medication.  
 

A different treatment approach

Rezūm™ Water Vapor Therapy is a minimally invasive option for men 50 years or older that uses the natural energy of water vapor to shrink excess prostate tissue. Rezūm Therapy can provide long-lasting relief, and the procedure takes an average of 10 minutes.¹³ And with Rezūm Therapy, you can preserve your sexual function.¹³ 
 
Medication is often a first-line treatment for BPH but why manage symptoms instead of treating the condition? Based on data from 947 patients, 86% of BPH patients receive Rezūm as a first-line therapy or an alternative to BPH medication.^14*
 
Talk to your doctor about whether Rezūm Therapy is right for you.

* Data collected by or on behalf of BSC. Data on file.

Most patients report relatively minor discomfort during the Rezūm procedure. Potential risks associated with Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy include but are not limited to painful or frequent urination, blood in the urine or semen, decrease in ejaculatory volume, urinary tract infection (UTI), inability to urinate or completely empty the bladder, and urgent need to urinate. During healing, symptoms may continue or worsen. Most men require a catheter for several days post-procedure.^13,15 A complete list of risk information can be found here.