Urology

Medicines for Enlarged prostate (BPH)

A common non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that can squeeze the urethra and cause troublesome urinary symptoms — managed with lifestyle measures and, where needed, medicines that relax or shrink the prostate.

Education and reference only. This explains which medicines are used and why, in plain language — it deliberately contains no doses and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always discuss your own treatment with a qualified clinician, and check the BNF and the product labelling for prescribing detail.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review

Quick answer

What is Enlarged prostate (BPH)?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia means the prostate gland — which sits just below the bladder and surrounds the tube that carries urine out (the urethra) — gradually enlarges with age. As it grows it can press on the urethra and irritate the bladder, producing lower urinary tract symptoms: a weaker or hesitant stream, straining, dribbling at the end, a feeling of not emptying fully, and needing to pass urine more often, more urgently, or at night.

  • How it is treated: Mild symptoms that are not especially bothersome are often managed with reassurance, lifestyle advice and watchful waiting, with review over time.
  • Self-care: Adjusting when and how much you drink (especially in the evening), cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, avoiding constipation, and bladder-training techniques such as double-voiding can all ease symptoms.
  • When to seek help: Being suddenly unable to pass urine at all, with a painful, full bladder (acute urinary retention), is an emergency — seek help straight away.

What it is

Benign prostatic hyperplasia means the prostate gland — which sits just below the bladder and surrounds the tube that carries urine out (the urethra) — gradually enlarges with age. As it grows it can press on the urethra and irritate the bladder, producing lower urinary tract symptoms: a weaker or hesitant stream, straining, dribbling at the end, a feeling of not emptying fully, and needing to pass urine more often, more urgently, or at night. The word "benign" is important: this is not prostate cancer. However, because some symptoms overlap with cancer and with other conditions, an assessment matters — typically a symptom review, an examination, a urine test and often a PSA blood test. The aim is to confirm the diagnosis, gauge how much the symptoms bother you, and rule out anything more serious before deciding on treatment.

How it is treated

Mild symptoms that are not especially bothersome are often managed with reassurance, lifestyle advice and watchful waiting, with review over time. When symptoms warrant treatment, the choice of medicine depends on how big the prostate is and which symptoms predominate. Drugs that relax the prostate and bladder-neck muscle ease the flow and tend to work within days. Drugs that shrink the gland act slowly over months and are most useful when the prostate is genuinely enlarged; they can also reduce the long-term need for surgery. The two can be combined where the prostate is large and symptoms are significant. Where storage symptoms such as urgency dominate, treatment overlaps with that for an overactive bladder. Surgery is considered if symptoms are severe, do not respond to medicines, or complications develop.

For this condition, these medicines

Medicine classes used for Enlarged prostate (BPH)

Each links to a full, dose-free guide — what it is, how it works, who can and cannot use it, side effects, interactions and FAQs.

Alpha-blockers (prostate) Men's health Relax the muscle in the prostate and bladder neck to ease the flow; they tend to work quickly, within days. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors Men's health Shrink the prostate gradually over months; most useful for larger glands and can reduce the need for surgery.

Symptom checker

Symptoms that can point to Enlarged prostate (BPH)

Enlarged prostate (BPH) can be one cause of these symptoms. Each guide explains the other possible causes and the red-flag warning signs that mean you should get urgent help:

Blood in urineBlood in the urine should always be checked by a doctor, as while many causes are treatabl…Frequent urinationNeeding to pass urine more often than usual, by day or night, which can be due to a bladde…Difficulty passing urineTrouble starting to pass urine, a weak or stop-start stream, straining or a feeling the bl…

By active ingredient

Specific medicines used for Enlarged prostate (BPH)

Dose-free guides to individual active ingredients used in enlarged prostate (bph) — what each is, how it works, how to take it, and its advantages and disadvantages:

TamsulosinAn alpha-blocker that relaxes the muscle around the prostate and bladder neck to ease urin…FinasterideA tablet that gradually shrinks an enlarged prostate over months; a lower-strength version…DoxazosinAn alpha-blocker used to ease prostate symptoms in men, and sometimes as an add-on treatme…TadalafilA long-acting PDE5 inhibitor for erectile dysfunction — often called the "weekend pill" — …AlfuzosinAn alpha-blocker that relaxes the prostate and bladder neck to ease the urinary symptoms o…DutasterideA 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that shrinks an enlarged prostate over time to improve urina…PrazosinAn alpha-blocker used for high blood pressure and for an enlarged prostate.…TerazosinAn alpha-blocker used for an enlarged prostate and for high blood pressure.…SilodosinAn alpha-blocker that relaxes the prostate and bladder neck to ease the urinary symptoms o…IndoraminAn alpha-blocker used for the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate and, less often, fo…

Beyond medication

Lifestyle and self-care

Adjusting when and how much you drink (especially in the evening), cutting back on caffeine and alcohol, avoiding constipation, and bladder-training techniques such as double-voiding can all ease symptoms. Some medicines, including certain cold and allergy remedies, can worsen flow and are worth reviewing.

When to get help

When to see a doctor

Being suddenly unable to pass urine at all, with a painful, full bladder (acute urinary retention), is an emergency — seek help straight away. Blood in the urine, fever with urinary symptoms, or significant pain should also be assessed promptly. Discuss ongoing or worsening symptoms with your GP or pharmacist.

999Emergency — call 999 or go to A&E
111Urgent advice — call NHS 111 or use 111 online
GPNon-urgent — see your GP or pharmacist

Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.

Answers

Enlarged prostate (BPH): frequently asked questions

What medicines are used for an enlarged prostate?

The two main classes are alpha-blockers, which relax the prostate and bladder-neck muscle to improve the flow quickly, and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which slowly shrink the gland over months and suit larger prostates. They are sometimes combined. The right choice depends on the size of your prostate and which symptoms trouble you most.

Does an enlarged prostate mean I have cancer?

No. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous enlargement and is very common with age. Because some symptoms overlap with prostate cancer, though, an assessment — often including a PSA blood test and an examination — is sensible to be sure.

Can the medicines affect my eyes or sexual function?

Alpha-blockers can cause dizziness or a drop in blood pressure on standing, and can affect cataract surgery, so tell your eye surgeon if you take one. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors lower the PSA reading and can affect sexual function, including libido and ejaculation. These effects should be discussed when choosing treatment.

Will I definitely need surgery?

Not usually. Many men manage well with lifestyle measures and medicines for years. Surgery is reserved for severe symptoms, those that do not respond to medication, or complications such as repeated retention — and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors can themselves reduce the chance of needing it.

Keep reading

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Sources

Where this is drawn from

  • NICE NG97: Lower urinary tract symptoms in men: management.
  • NICE CKS: Benign prostate enlargement.

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