Flomax alternatives: Alpha-blockers and treatment options

Benign prostatic hyperplasia usually responds to treatment Flomax. But Flomax does not work well for everyone. If so, a doctor may recommend one of several other drugs, such as doxazosin (Cardura), finasteride (Proscar), or sildenafil (Viagra).

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or an enlarged prostate can cause painful and frequent urination, bladder stones, and incontinence. According to one estimate, nearly 1 in 5 men between 55 and 74 experience this condition.

Share on PinterestFlomax is an alpha-blocker prescribed to treat BPH symptoms.

Flomax, the branded version of the drug tamsulosin, is often prescribed to relieve the symptoms of BPH. Flomax is one of a group of drugs called alpha-1 blockers that can help urine flow more easily.

Commonly known as alpha-blockers, these drugs change the behavior of the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. This can relax muscles in the urinary tract, making it easier to urinate.

Flomax is considered a selective alpha-blocker, which means it targets the urinary tract specifically and has less effect on other muscles.

In men with a moderately enlarged prostate who have no serious health issues, Flomax often works well. But for some, it causes unpleasant side effects. Common side effects of Flomax include:

• low blood pressure
• nasal congestion
• swollen ankles
• dry mouth
• headaches and dizziness
• fatigue
• problems with ejaculation

For some men, however, the cost is also a significant concern. Flomax can cost more than $200 per month and might not be entirely covered by insurance. Flomax may be no more effective than other alpha-blockers, but the manufacturing company spends more than $100 million marketing it to consumers, so it is often the only BPH drug many people know about.

Share on PinterestAlternative alpha-blockers are available. Speaking to a doctor or pharmacist may help when choosing the most suitable medication.

Other alpha-blockers work in much the same way as Flomax. Doxazosin may cost as little as $10 per month.

Hytrin, another generic drug, also works well. Both drugs are nonselective alpha-1 blockers, which means they can lower a person’s blood pressure.

Selective alpha-blockers, such as Flomax, can also lower blood pressure but not quite as much as nonselective alpha-blockers.

Some alternative selective alpha-blockers to Flomax include:

• Uroxatral (alfuzosin)
• Rapaflo (silodosin)
• non-branded tamsulosin

Alpha-blockers are not the only option for treating BPH. Several other drugs may help:

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors can reverse the enlargement of the prostate. They do this by preventing the body from converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT can cause the prostate to grow, putting pressure on the urethra and making it difficult for the urine to flow. Drugs in this group include Avodart (dutasteride) and Proscar (finasteride).

These drugs may lower libido, cause problems with ejaculation, or lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). Rarely, they can cause gynecomastia, a condition in which a man develops breasts.

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors are drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED). They may also treat the symptoms of BPH, particularly in men who also have ED.

Sometimes phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors are used alongside other BPH drugs to combat erectile side effects. Drugs in this group include:

• Viagra (sildenafil)
• Cialis (tadalafil)

These drugs can cause headaches, nausea, and drops in blood pressure. Rarely, they may cause a painful erection that does not go away.

Drug combinations

Combining certain medications may help when a single drug does not work. For example, alpha-blockers combined with drugs for an overactive bladder may be more effective.

Occasionally, doctors use other drugs on an off-label basis to treat BPH. It is crucial for a person to discuss the risks and benefits of BPH medications with their doctor.

Share on PinterestA prostatectomy may be required when drugs fail to treat BPH, or there are other complications.

When drug treatment fails or when there are other problems with the prostate, such as frequent prostate infections, a doctor might recommend a prostatectomy. A prostatectomy is a procedure in which the surgeon removes all or a portion of the prostate.

In some people, this can alleviate symptoms with few or no side effects. However, a prostatectomy may cause incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and other health concerns.

People should carefully weigh the benefits and risks of a prostatectomy, and talk to their doctors about which form of prostatectomy is likely to be the most effective.

A less invasive treatment heats the prostate, often with a laser, and can slow prostate growth. This procedure may require general anesthesia.

Less frequently, a doctor may recommend the temporary or permanent use of a catheter. A catheter is a tube that goes through the urethra to help empty the bladder. It can help people whose prostates are very large and swollen.

A catheter can also be used as a temporary remedy when the prostate has swollen due to surgery or another medical procedure.

Some herbal remedies may help with some symptoms of BPH. Those include:

• Cernilton is an herbal remedy made from rye-grass pollen. This supplement is available over the counter, and most studies suggest it causes few side effects. It may moderately improve urological functioning.
• Saxifrage, an herbal remedy made from the Chinese herb Saxifraga stolonifera, may improve prostate function in some people, although research into its effectiveness is mixed.
• Babassu, another herbal remedy, is made from a Brazilian palm tree. Animal studies suggest it is safe to use. It may work by slowing prostate growth and causing some prostate cells to die.
• Ganodermataceae is a type of fungus that may work similarly to some 5-alpha-reductase drugs. Research on rats showed that it could reduce testosterone’s effect on the prostate. Testosterone is a major culprit in the prostate growth associated with BPH.
• Saw palmetto is a herbal remedy sometimes used to treat prostate problems. While some studies have shown promise, the best-designed studies suggest that saw palmetto does not work any better than a placebo.

It is essential to speak with a doctor before using any supplements. A person should also be aware that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not monitor the effectiveness, quality, or safety of supplements.

A few lifestyle changes may improve symptoms, but they will not reverse BPH. Those remedies include:

• not drinking fluids a few hours before going to bed
• avoiding caffeine and alcohol
• not straining to empty the bladder
• double voiding

Men should see a doctor if they suspect they have BPH, as some other disorders, including prostate cancer, might cause similar symptoms to BPH.

A person should see a doctor if they experience difficulty urinating, painful urination, or frequent urination. A person with BPH whose symptoms suddenly worsen should also see a doctor.

BPH is a manageable condition but left untreated it can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. Not everyone responds to Flomax, so people who continue to experience strong urges to urinate or other urinary symptoms should discuss this with their doctors.

Another drug, a combination of multiple drugs, or the right lifestyle changes might improve symptoms.

Top tamsulosin alternatives and how to switch your Rx

Tamsulosin doesn’t work for everyone. Uroxatral, Rapaflo, Avodart, Proscar, and Cialis are some tamsulosin alternatives. Get the full list here.

Compare tamsulosin alternatives | Uroxatral | Rapaflo | Avodart | Proscar | Cialis | Natural alternatives | How to switch meds

Tamsulosin, also known by the brand- name Flomax, is a prescription medicine approved by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Tamsulosin comes in a 0.4 mg capsule and should be taken once daily approximately one-half hour following the same meal each day. The dose may be increased to 0.8 mg (two 0.4 mg capsules) once daily for those who fail to respond to the 0.4 mg dose after two to four weeks of dosing. Adverse effects common to tamsulosin include dizziness, fatigue, fainting, vertigo, headache, nasal congestion, erectile dysfunction, postural hypotension (low blood pressure when changing position), and retrograde ejaculation.

BPH, also known as an enlarged prostate gland, is a condition commonly found in men as they get older. The main symptom of the enlarged prostate gland is blockage of the bladder causing uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as urine flow interruption, incontinence, or urinary tract infections. Tamsulosin is in a class of medicines known as alpha blockers. These medications relax muscles in the bladder and in the prostate gland making urination easier.

While tamsulosin is an effective treatment for many, it may not be the best option for all men who have BPH. For various reasons, such as cost, side effect profile, or hypersensitivity to the active or inactive ingredients, an alternative BPH treatment may be necessary.

What can I take in place of tamsulosin?

Different treatment options are available that can be used as alternatives to tamsulosin. There are other alpha blockers that are FDA approved to treat BPH: Cardura (doxazosin), Hytrin (terazosin), Uroxatral (alfuzosin), and Rapaflo (silodosin). There are two other drug classes FDA approved to treat BPH–5-alpha reductase inhibitors and phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

5-alpha reductase inhibitors work by shrinking the prostate gland by preventing hormonal changes that cause prostate growth. These medications include Proscar (finasteride) and Avodart (dutasteride) and are most effective in men with large prostate glands, unlike alpha blockers, which work best on smaller glands.  

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors, such as Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil), were originally developed for treating erectile dysfunction (ED). Cialis was found also to be effective in treating the urinary symptoms of BPH by relaxing muscle cells in the bladder and prostate and has been FDA approved to treat urinary symptoms of BPH.

If a single medication alone is not effective, combination drug therapy may be tried. Your prescribing healthcare provider might recommend combining an alpha blocker with a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor to relieve BPH symptoms.

BPH can be a frustrating condition but fortunately there are many different medications other than tamsulosin that have proven effective in treating it. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the BPH medicine that is the best fit for your health, lifestyle, and medical history. The table below highlights the most common alternatives to tamsulosin.

Other alternatives to tamsulosin

Combination drug:

• Jalyn (dutasteride and tamsulosin)

There are alternatives to drug treatment for BPH, particularly if the prostate size causes more severe problems. These alternatives include the following minor surgical procedures typically performed by a urologist:

• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)—surgery to remove parts of the prostate gland through the penis.
• Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)—surgery using a laser beam or electric current to widen the urethra. 
• Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT)—a minimally invasive treatment which uses microwave energy to harden parts of the prostate tissue to reduce the size of the prostate gland. 
• Laser therapy— a high-energy laser destroys or removes overgrown prostate tissue. 
• Prostatic urethral lift (PUL)—small metallic implants are placed in the prostate tissue to reduce the obstruction of the urethra.

Top 5 tamsulosin alternatives

The following are some of the most common alternatives to tamsulosin.

1. Uroxatral (alfuzosin)

Uroxatral is a brand-name medication that is available as a generic drug called alfuzosin. Alfuzosin, like tamsulosin, is an alpha blocker and is approved for the treatment of signs and symptoms of BPH. Both are tablets and both are dosed once a day. Because they are in the same drug class they share many of the same common adverse effects such as headache, dizziness, and nasal congestion. There is one side effect of tamsulosin that alfuzosin does not share and that is symptoms of sexual dysfunction which includes reduced sex drive and abnormal ejaculation. For this reason, alfuzosin may be preferred for sexually active patients. 

2. Rapaflo (silodosin) 

Rapaflo is a brand-name medication that is available as a generic drug called silodosin. Silodosin is also an alpha blocker, i.e., in the same category as both tamsulosin and alfuzosin, and is likewise approved for the treatment of signs and symptoms of BPH. It comes in a capsule and is dosed once a day. Common side effects are closely aligned with tamsulosin (headache, dizziness, nasal congestion, and abnormal ejaculations). A clinical study found that silodosin improved urinary symptoms and quality of life in patients with BPH who did not respond to tamsulosin.

3. Avodart (dutasteride)

Avodart is a brand-name medication that is available as a generic drug called dutasteride. Tamsolusin and dutasteride belong to different drug classes and have different mechanisms of action in treating BPH. Tamsulosin, as described earlier, is an alpha-blocker which relaxes muscles in the bladder and in the prostate gland making urination easier. Dutasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the hormone primarily responsible for the enlargement of the prostate gland. By reducing the prostate size, dutasteride improves urinary flow, reduces the incidence of urinary retention, and lowers the need for prostate surgery.

Dutasteride is associated with a variety of side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, ejaculation problems, and stuffy or runny nose.

4. Proscar (finasteride)

Proscar is a brand-name medication that is available as a generic drug called finasteride. Finasteride, like dutasteride, is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and also works for BPH by shrinking the enlarged prostate. In clinical trials, finasteride and dutasteride were found to be equally effective in the reduction of prostate size and improving BPH symptoms. Common side effects are also similar to dutasteride and include dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, ejaculation problems, and stuffy or runny nose.

5. Cialis (tadalafil)

Cialis is a brand-name medication that is available as a generic drug called tadalafil. Tadalafil belongs to a class of drugs different from either the alpha blockers or the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Tadalafil was originally developed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and is in a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. It works by slowing the production of phosphodiesterase-5, an enzyme that breaks down chemicals that increase blood flow to the penis. It was discovered that tadalafil also helps relax muscle cells around the bladder and prostate, which eases the symptoms of BPH. Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, headache, indigestion, muscle pain, stuffy nose, and flushing of the face. Because tadalafil widens arteries to let more blood flow to the penis, it may cause blood pressure to drop to unsafe levels in men already taking drugs for high blood pressure.

In clinical trials, tamsulosin showed greater efficacy in treating BPH urinary symptoms than tadalafil, however, tadalafil may be a good option for men with both BPH and ED. 

Natural alternatives to tamsulosin

Diet and lifestyle changes may help lessen symptoms due to prostate enlargement. Avoiding liquids before bedtime and limiting caffeine and alcohol drinks may reduce the urge to urinate. Cutting out or reducing fats such as butter, cheese, and milk may help reduce BPH symptoms. 

Over-the-counter herbal therapies and supplements may be used by some men for symptoms of an enlarged prostate.