What are the Best Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Medications?
speciality medications
If you’ve been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), medication can be tough to figure out.
There are alpha blockers to consider. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, too. Suddenly, you’re weighing the pros and cons of long-term treatment plans and reading long lists of scary-sounding side effects.
All you want is to feel better. We get that – which is why we’re here to provide the simple answers you need to your questions about BPH medications. If you’re seeking a straightforward guide to enlarged prostate treatment, we’re here to help.
What Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia? The Reason Behind the Medication
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is a very common medical condition – especially in middle-aged men. It affects the prostate gland, a walnut-sized organ underneath the bladder. The prostate is an integral part of the male reproductive system. It creates prostate fluid, a critical ingredient in semen.
Over time, the prostate can get larger than a walnut. If the prostate becomes very large, this can lead to BPH.
Since BPH is, by definition, benign or non-cancerous, there’s no reason to become alarmed if you receive a diagnosis. However, if you don’t treat your BPH, you may notice changes to your quality of life. An enlarged prostate can constrict the nearby urethra, which can cause urinary problems.
Men who notice BPH symptoms such as bladder stones, UTIs, and changes in urinary retention should seek medical advice as soon as possible. Detecting and treating BPH early on can make a world of difference in patient experience.
Overview of BPH Medications
There are two main groups of BPH medications: Alpha-blockers, and 5-ARIs (or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors).
Here’s how each group works, how to work with your doctor to figure out which is the best for you, and some easy ways to save up to 86% on these common BPH medications.
Alpha-Blockers as BPH Medications
Alpha-blockers work by targeting specific receptors in the smooth muscle of the bladder and prostate. By blocking these receptors, the nearby muscles relax. This can relieve a lot of pressure on the urethra, which can help reduce urinary issues.
Two common BPH medications include Flomax Capsules and Uroxatral.
Flomax Capsules
Flomax Capsules (tamsulosin) are a unique type of alpha blockers in that they only work on prostate receptors.
When patients take Flomax capsules, only the prostate smooth muscle receives the relaxing effect. This can reduce unwanted side effects and helps manage more optimal urine flow.
Flomax Capsules Cost
It’s not uncommon for American patients to pay around $350.00 for a supply of 30 Flomax Capsules, or about $11.50 per capsule. Since patients will need to take this medication daily, that will add up (quickly).
Alternatively, you can buy the same amount of brand Flomax Capsules through NorthWestPharmacy.com for approximately $47.00, or $1.50 per capsule – savings of up to 86%.
Uroxatral
Uroxatral (alfuzosin) is another alpha blocker that relaxes the smooth muscle in BPH patients’ prostates and bladders.
This medication is taken once daily, usually with food.
Uroxatral Cost
Brand-name Uroxatral is very expensive in the United States. (We’ve seen prices as high as $700.00 for 30 capsules of Uroxatral.) This is likely because the generic alternative, alfuzosin, is relatively easy to find.
However, if you require brand Uroxatral, you should be able to find it – and afford it. Here, through NorthWestPharmacy.com, you can buy 90 capsules of brand Uroxatral for about $125.00.
5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors (5-ARIs) as BPH Medications
5-ARIs help treat BPH symptoms, like alpha-blockers, but they use a different strategy to provide similar results.
Where the alpha-blockers target smooth muscle receptors to relieve urethra pressure, 5-ARIs work to influence the growing size of the prostate gland. The primary hormone responsible for prostate growth, DHT (dihydrotestosterone), is made from testosterone, the male sex hormone. An enzyme called 5-alpha reductase helps change testosterone into DHT.
5-ARIs, or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, stop that reaction.
The result? There’s less DHT in the prostate. This leads to less prostate cell growth and, ideally, a shrinking of the prostate over time.
Two common 5-ARI BPH medications include Proscar and Avodart.
Proscar
Proscar (finasteride) is an androgen antagonist.
This means when patients take Proscar to treat BPH, their bodies make less DHT. Since DHT triggers prostate cell growth, Proscar can cause prostate shrinkage and promote more helpful urinary function.
However, it’s only effective when taken regularly. If men stop taking the medication, their prostate may start growing again.
Proscar Cost
In the United States, you can usually buy a 30-day supply of Proscar for around $200.00 ($6.60/pill).
Or, of course, you can buy a four-week supply of brand-name Proscar through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $90.00, or a little over $3.00 per pill – and up to 54% savings.
Avodart
Avodart (dutasteride) is, like Proscar, a 5-ARI that blocks the enzyme required for the production of DHT.
It’s important to note that not only are these medications regular, chronic ones: They take a few weeks to kick in. Hormonal shifts take time, so you will need to be patient when you’re starting this medication. If you don’t see results after several weeks, discuss your options with your doctor.
Avodart Cost
American patients can pay as much as $312.00 for 30 capsules, or a little over $10.00 per dose.
If you’re interested in saving up to 74% on brand-name Avodart, you can buy it through NorthWestPharmacy.com, instead. Here, you can buy Avodart for around $78.00 for 30 capsules.
Are There Other Medications That Can Provide BPH Symptom Relief?
Aside from alpha blockers and 5-ARIs, there are a few other classes of medications that can help treat symptoms.
Some options to consider may include:
- Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors, or
- Anticholinergic Drugs, or
- Phytotherapy, a combination of natural and conventional treatments, can sometimes provide sought-after results with alleviated side effects.
Before you start any of these medication regimens, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor to be 100% sure they’re a good fit for you and your symptoms.
Choosing the Best BPH Medication: Individualized Treatment Approach
Your best treatment for your unique version of BPH will be highly individualized to you and your symptoms.
There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment. This means finding the best BPH medication for you can be tricky.
Here’s what we’d recommend.
Always start by working with a healthcare professional. When your doctor diagnoses you with BPH, they’ll learn as much as possible about what BPH looks like for you.
What’s your medical history? What are your lifestyle preferences? How severe are your symptoms? Which side effects are non-negotiables for you?
Just as the answers to these questions will differ for everyone, your starting medication and dosage will be specific to you. Getting a doctor to help with this step is not only required (as many BPH medications are prescription-only) but extremely helpful.
You’ll also want to work closely with your healthcare team immediately after starting your treatment regimen to ensure it’s doing what you want it to!
Don’t skip those follow-up visits, even if it seems like your symptoms are improving or you feel you can otherwise guess what’s going on. Your team will likely want to run blood work, which can further confirm that the medication is working for you (or, in a less positive scenario, let you know if the medication isn’t a good fit for you before you start suffering symptoms).
Finally, listen to your body. Understand what common symptoms of BPH medications are, and what symptoms aren’t. If you feel like something’s wrong, go talk to your doctor. They may be able to help you adjust your dosage, select another BPH medication, or even pursue another type of treatment that could be more helpful for your unique case.
Non-Medical Treatment Options for BPH
Want to think outside of the pharmacy for your BPH treatment plan?
We said it above, but we’ll say it again: Make sure you’re working with your doctor as you consider changing how you manage your BPH.
Some people may be able to pursue non-medical treatment options for BPH. Other people may have to be on a medication on a long-term basis to feel as good as they can – and that’s okay.
What is important is your ability to understand and pursue the best treatment options for you.
Some of the more common non-medical treatment options that may help alleviate BPH symptoms include:
- Lifestyle modifications. In some cases, eating a BPH-friendly diet full of fiber and low in spicy or acidic foods can help reduce symptoms. Similarly, regular exercise can help reduce weight and improve blood circulation – both of which help with relaxed muscles and improved bladder control.
- Bladder training. Some people can slowly increase the amount of time they can go between urinating to improve their bladder strength and capacity. This can be difficult, painful, and even risky – but, again, for some people, it works. Do your research and speak with your doctor before starting this training.
- Herbal supplements. There are a handful of herbal remedies, including saw palmetto, pygeum africanum, and beta-sitosterol, that may help reduce inflammation or assist in the reduction of swelling – or even improve urine flow. However, these don’t work for everyone. And, even though these herbs are OTC, they’re not to be taken lightly: You should definitely consult your doctor to ensure you’re not accidentally taking an herb that interacts dangerously with another medication you’re taking.
It’s important to keep these types of non-medical BPH treatments in perspective. They may help some people reduce the severity of their symptoms, but for many, even adhering to a strict diet 100% perfectly may not “work.” And that’s perfectly fine – as long as you can work with your doctor to find treatments that do work for you.
Ready to Buy the Best Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Medications? Start Here
Treating your benign prostatic hyperplasia can be confusing enough without having to jump through hoops to get the prescription medications you need to thrive.
And, when you can locate the medications your doctor prescribes, you need to be able to afford them. Unfortunately, the lack of regulation on branded prescription medication prices in America means that you, as an American individual with benign prostatic hyperplasia, may have to make some difficult financial decisions.
Or you would, if you didn’t know that you can buy your BPH medications for less through a safe, reputable, online Canadian pharmacy website.
If you’re interested in buying popular BPH meds such as Avodart and Flomax Capsules for up to 86% off, you’re in the right place. Our team makes it simple, safe, and affordable for you to purchase the medications you need to treat your BPH symptoms.
- Have your doctor issue you an updated medication prescription.
- Find the page for the medication you need. Review the information there, then use the drop-down menus to select the dosage you’ve been prescribed. Click “add to cart.”
- Check out through our private payment portal.
- Upload a copy of your prescription during the checkout process. (This is a double check for your safety. Don’t worry, we’ll make this part easy for you.)
And that’s it! You’ll receive your order of BPH medications in a timely manner, and you won’t even have to leave your home.
If you have any questions as you consider buying your medications online, reach out to our team. Our friendly customer service reps and on-staff pharmacists will be ready to help you with anything you need – including placing your prescription order online. Call us at 1-866-539-5330, or contact us online.
Our CIPA-certified international pharmacy and online drugstore is ready to help you find and afford the best BPH medications for you and your healthcare needs.
