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. 2006;8 Suppl 4(Suppl 4):S35-42.

The use of alpha-blockers for the treatment of nephrolithiasis

Michael Lipkin  1 , Ojas Shah
Affiliations

The use of alpha-blockers for the treatment of nephrolithiasis

Michael Lipkin et al. Rev Urol. 2006.

Abstract

Medical expulsion therapy has been shown to be a useful adjunct to observation in the management of ureteral stones. Alpha-1-adrenergic receptor antagonists have been studied in this role. Alpha-1 receptors are located in the human ureter, especially the distal ureter. Alpha-blockers have been demonstrated to increase expulsion rates of distal ureteral stones, decrease time to expulsion, and decrease need for analgesia during stone passage. Alpha-blockers promote stone passage in patients receiving shock wave lithotripsy, and may be able to relieve ureteral stent-related symptoms. In the appropriate clinical scenario, the use of alpha-blockers is recommended in the conservative management of distal ureteral stones.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Representation of the kidney and ureter with density of α receptors as studied by Sigala et al. Alpha-1d receptor is the most common in all segments of the ureter. The highest overall density of α1 receptors is in the distal ureter.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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