Medicines Used for Enlarged prostate
An enlarged prostate is a common, non-cancerous growth of the prostate gland in older men. It can press on the urine tube and cause a weak flow, passing urine often, or getting up at night. A doctor should check these symptoms, because other conditions can cause them too.
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
Medicines used for Enlarged prostate
These active ingredients are in medicines whose approved uses include Enlarged prostate. Brands are listed A to Z, not ranked. A doctor or pharmacist decides which medicine is right for you.
Finasteride
- Finast 5 · 5 mg tablet
Tamsulosin
- Urimax 0.4 · 0.4 mg capsule (modified release)
Common questions
Is an enlarged prostate cancer?
No. Benign prostate enlargement is not cancer and does not by itself cause it. But prostate cancer can cause similar symptoms, so a doctor may do an examination or tests such as a PSA blood test to check.
What medicines are used for it?
Doctors may prescribe alpha blockers such as tamsulosin to ease urine flow, or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as finasteride to shrink the prostate over months. Some men take both. Surgery is considered when medicines are not enough.
When is it an emergency?
Get medical help straight away if you cannot pass urine at all, or you have fever with pain, blood in the urine, or severe lower belly pain. Do not wait for symptoms to settle on their own.
Sources
- Tamsulosin. NHS (UK)
- Finasteride. NHS (UK)
- Proscar (finasteride) 5 mg: label. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
- Flomax (tamsulosin) capsules: label. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine