Doxazosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia in primary care

Abstract

The incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is increasing, and an estimated one quarter of men older than 60 years have both BPH and hypertension. Medical management of BPH is now an effective alternative to surgery, and primary care physicians are treating more patients for this condition. Alpha-adrenergic blockers reduce the tone of prostatic smooth muscle, and doxazosin, a selective alpha-1 adrenergic blocker, is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of BPH. Doxazosin can be given in a convenient once-daily dose, and its efficacy is maintained in the long term. Patients with BPH who are already being treated for hypertension with doxazosin need no alteration in their dosage regimen, and doxazosin can be used as a single agent to treat both conditions. Selective alpha-adrenergic blockers are likely to be used increasingly by primary care physicians in the treatment of BPH.