Thanks to scientific research in the field of pharmaceuticals, the effect of drugs is constantly being studied, the release of more modern highly effective medicines. But there are broad-spectrum drugs that remain indispensable for decades. These include alpha blockers.
They are most often used in the medical treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure, as well as a number of urological diseases, such as chronic prostatitis and benign prostate tumors.
Discovery history
The discovery of alpha-blockers in Russian pharmaceuticals was made in 1976. Since then, they have been considered effective blood pressure lowering drugs. But their use is not always appropriate due to too many side effects. One of the first drugs in this group was Prazosin. Further, the release of other alpha-blockers, such as Doxasosin and Terarosin, was launched. All of them, like Prazosin, are used to treat hypertension, but differ frommore prolonged action.
But alpha-blockers also differ in degree, location and functional purpose. The preparations will be presented below.
Views
Adrenoreceptors are divided into two subtypes:
- Alpha-1 receptors, which are localized on the surface of the postsynaptic membrane of the neuron, are responsible for the signals carried out when using catecholamines to other neurons or effector cells, including some vascular cells. The consequence of the activity of such receptors is vasoconstriction.
- Alpha-2 receptors, which are located on the surface of the presynaptic membrane of the neuron, control the production of norepinephrine into the synaptic cleft through negative feedback, thereby reducing the production of norepinephrine accumulated in the synaptic cleft.
Implementation of alpha-1 receptor blockade of vascular smooth muscle eliminates catecholamine-induced vasoconstriction. In turn, the alpha-2 receptors located on the presynaptic membrane of the neuron are not in blockade, which means that there is an integrity of the feedback mechanism that provokes the release of norepinephrine.
Selective 1(blockers) are antagonists of postsynaptic receptors. Such drugs abolish receptor activity due to the effects of catecholamines in circulation and released by neurons.
Functions
In addition to the effect on lowering blood pressure, alpha-blockers (drugsbelow) have other functions. Ethocardial, metabolic, extracardiac therapeutic effects. The high efficiency of drugs in this group has been scientifically proven in the treatment of changes in the myocardium, the coronary system, and in the effect on proteins in the prostate.
Extracardiac
- Stimulation of the kidneys.
- Cleansing the bronchi.
- Improvement of metabolic processes in the genitourinary system with a benign prostate tumor.
Alpha-blockers have a positive effect on reducing tumor growth and the severity of impotence.
Cardiac
- Reduce myocardial hypertrophy.
- Regulate heart rate.
Use with caution due to negative effect in heart failure and angina pectoris.
Metabolic
- Reduce the risk of plaque formation.
- Reduce blood sugar (insulin) levels.
As mentioned above, alpha-blockers are often used in the treatment of prostate diseases in men.
The male population over the age of 50 often suffers from such diseases, the first place among which is occupied by prostatitis and prostate adenoma.
These diseases have a very negative impact on a person's lifestyle in general. Constant problems with urination, discomfort, progressive impotence are certain difficulties for a man of any age. In addition, the above diseases are consideredrapidly developing. Often, surgery is indispensable. Drugs are used to stop the acute phase of the disease.
For medical intervention, a-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are used.
Scheme of therapeutic action of inhibitors
The growth of the muscle tissue of the prostate gland is provoked primarily by the hormonal background. Steroid 5-alpha reductase stimulates the conversion of the hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone in the prostate cavity. The latter, in turn, binds to the nuclear androgen receptor in the prostate and provokes the secretion of paracrine growth factors, which also move into the prostate. Alpha-blockers 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can help in this situation.
Excessive production of dihydrotestosterone causes a number of serious diseases, such as a benign tumor of the prostate, oncological neoplasms, and other urological diseases of the prostate. At this point, 5 alpha reductase inhibitors are used as a medical treatment course. Their therapeutic effect is to block the reductase, which in turn lowers the level of dihydrotestosterone, which provokes diffuse changes in the prostate.
The most popular drugs in this group are Finasteride and Dutasteride. They have a similar therapeutic effect, differ in exposure time and dosage regimen.
5-alpha reductase inhibitor blockers can be purchased at the pharmacy with a prescriptiondoctor.
But despite the high efficiency, drugs are used with caution and not in all cases due to the large number of negative manifestations and contraindications.
Main side effects when taking
- There is a possibility of hypotension after using drugs to lower blood pressure.
- Nausea, headaches, dizziness.
- Rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath.
- Muscle pain, weakness.
- Sedation.
- Fluid retention, swelling.
- Pain in the stomach and intestines.
- Difficulty breathing through the nose, thirst.
- More often in the female half of the population there is stimulation of the bladder, frequent urge to urinate.
Alpha-beta blockers should therefore be taken with caution.
One of the most severe consequences is postural hypotension, which can occur even with a single dose of the drug. Its first signs occur after half an hour or an hour after taking the medication. This mainly applies to Prazosin. To prevent this side effect, it is necessary to prescribe the drug on an increasing regimen and preferably at night.
Due to the above side effects, alpha-blockers are prescribed in combination with diuretics to prevent fluid retention and painkillers to relieve pain symptoms.
Medicines of this group are prescribed as an independenttherapy, and simultaneously with other medicines for the treatment of various diseases.
Diseases
Several diseases treated with alpha-blockers:
- In the fight against hypertension in complex therapy, as a means to achieve an accelerated therapeutic effect.
- Benign growth in the prostate gland.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Pheochromocytoma.
- Malignant neoplasm in the prostate.
Contraindications
When are alpha and beta blockers not prescribed?
The main contraindications for taking drugs are:
- low blood pressure;
- dehydration;
- diuretic therapy;
- various heart defects;
- chronic heart failure;
- bronchial asthma;
- Irregular heart rhythms.
Do not prescribe drugs of this kind during gestation and lactation, as there have been no accurate laboratory studies on this issue.
Alpha blockers for adenoma
The main drugs of this group used to treat adenoma:
- Uroxataral.
- Kardura.
- Gitrin.
- "Rapaflo".
- Flomax.
At the heart of these drugs are alpha-blockers. The list goes on.
Mechanism of action
The mechanism of action of such drugs in the fight against adenoma is simple, they relieve tonemuscles of the prostate and bladder, thereby helping to facilitate urination.
Prescribe such medicines as a treatment course with an individual dosage, taken once or twice a day.
Prescribing medication to advanced disease patients who have difficulty urinating and weaker medications have failed.
The main therapeutic effect begins to appear after a week of taking the drugs. After 14-21 days, a significant relief of the patient's condition occurs.
Special Instructions
For a high therapeutic effect, alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are taken in pairs. Data on the high effectiveness of the use of paired drugs are obtained from medical clinical studies.
It is not recommended to combine the above medications simultaneously with drugs or dietary supplements for impotence. May enhance the therapeutic effect of blockers, which is undesirable. The consequence may be a sharp drop in blood pressure.
Another negative consequence of taking alpha blockers for the treatment of urological diseases can be ejaculation into the bladder cavity. It does not cause negative effects on overall he alth.
When using medicines of this group to combat adenoma, it is recommended to use other medicines to lower blood pressure. Taken as an element of complex therapy, they may be less effective in the treatment of hypertension.
For non-hypertensive patients, when dealing with changes in the prostate gland with alpha-blockers, it is recommended to constantly monitor the level of blood pressure.
Medication Precautions
- Drugs containing alpha blockers should be used only as directed by your doctor. The doctor must determine the dosage, duration of administration.
- Treatment with the use of such drugs should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor or within the walls of a medical institution.
- If side effects occur, stop taking the drug and consult a doctor.
- Never change the dosage upwards on your own.
- Admission of other drugs at the same time as alpha-blockers to coordinate with your doctor.
- Do not use alpha-blockers as emergency therapy for hypertension without doctor's approval.
- Do not take medicines that are out of date or with broken packaging, damage to the hard shell of tablets.
- Purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies.
- When taking medications of the above group, constantly measure the level of blood pressure throughout the day and before going to bed.
- Taking medications for high blood pressure during pregnancy must be agreed with your doctor.
It is important to understand that an overdose of these drugs can lead to undesirable consequences.
