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Alpha-Blocker (4/5): Tamsulosin
- Alpha-blocker (1/6): General pharmacology
- Alpha-blocker (2/6): Terazosin
- Alpha-blocker (3/6): Doxazosin
- Alpha-blocker (4/6): Tamsulosin
- Alpha-blocker (5/6): Alfuzosin
- Alpha-blocker (6/6): Silodosin
Review Literatur: (Chapple, 2004).
General Pharmacology of Tamsulosin
Please see section general pharmacology of alpha-blocker.
Mechanism of Action of Tamsulosin
Tamsulosin is a selective alpha1A-blocker with a long elimination half-life.
Indications for Tamsulosin
- Treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia
Pharmacokinetics of Tamsulosin
- Elimination half-life 12 h
- The OCAS-preparation (Oral Controlled Absorption System) allows a single daily dosing.
Tamsulosin: Mechanism of Action
Postsynaptic alpha1A-blockade leads to:
- Smooth muscle relaxation of the prostate, bladder neck and the urethra. Alpha-blocker improve the dynamic component of subvesical obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
General Side Effects of Alpha-Blocker
- Hypotension, orthostatic syncope, reflex tachycardia
- Stuffy nose
- Retrograde ejaculation
- Dizziness, weakness
- Tamsulosin is a selective alpha1A-blocker with a favorable cardiovascular side effect rate
Contraindications of Tamsulosin
Urological Contraindications:
Conservative treatment of BPH is not indicated, if surgical treatment is imperative: chronic urinary retention with renal failure, recurrent hematuria due to prostatic enlargement, recurrent infections and bladder stones.
Cardiac Contraindications:
Hypotension, mechanical heart failure (valvular, pulmonary embolism, pericarditis), congestive heart failure.
Other contraindications:
Tamsulosin should be paused perioperatively for cataract surgery to prevent an intraoperative floppy iris syndrome.
Dosage of Tamsulosin
0.4 mg 1–0–0
Doxazosin | Index | Alfuzosin |
Index: 1–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
References
- Chapple 2004 CHAPPLE, C. R.:
- Pharmacological therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary
tract symptoms: an overview for the practising clinician.
In: BJU Int
94 (2004), Nr. 5, S. 738–44
Deutsche Version: Tamsulosin