What is the main concern for alpha blockers?

Alpha blockers can increase or decrease the effects of other medications you take. Alpha blockers may improve total cholesterol. However, some research has found that long-term use of some alpha blockers can increase the risk of heart failure.

What do alpha-1 blockers do?

The alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists (also called alpha-blockers) are a family of agents that bind to and inhibit type 1 alpha-adrenergic receptors and thus inhibit smooth muscle contraction. Their major uses are for hypertension and for symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Which condition is best treated by using alpha-adrenergic antagonist?

Alpha blockers, also known as alpha-adrenergic antagonists, are used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure, benign prostatic hyperplasia (age-associated prostate gland enlargement that can cause urination difficulty), and Raynaud’s disease, which is a rare circulatory disorder affecting hands and feet.

Do alpha blockers lead to vasodilation?

Alpha-blockers dilate both arteries and veins because both vessel types are innervated by sympathetic adrenergic nerves; however, the vasodilator effect is more pronounced in the arterial resistance vessels.

Why are alpha blockers not used in hypertension?

4 While this risk is real, it is small, and the main reason that alpha blockers are not used as a first-choice drug is because, unlike other high blood pressure medicines, they have not been shown to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Why do alpha blockers cause tachycardia?

In contrast, the blood pressure lowering effects of non-selective alpha blockers, such as phentolamine, are associated with a marked reflex tachycardia due to blunting of inhibitory presynaptic α2 feedback that suppresses the release of norepinephrine when synaptic levels of the neurotransmitter rise.

Do alpha blockers cause heart failure?

Cardiac failure risk was an average 22% higher among those exposed to alpha blockers alone; 16% higher on combination; and 9% higher among men exposed to 5-alpha reductase inhibitor therapy alone.

Why do alpha 1 blockers cause orthostatic hypotension?

By reducing alpha-1-adrenergic activity of the blood vessels, these drugs may cause hypotension (low blood pressure) and interrupt the baroreflex response.

What is the difference between an alpha blocker and a beta blocker?

Alpha-blockers work on norepinephrine or noradrenaline, while beta-blockers work on epinephrine or adrenaline. Alpha-blockers affect only blood pressure levels, while beta-blockers affect both the heart and blood pressure. Beta-blockers can cause weight gain, while alpha-blockers do not.

Can alpha and beta blockers be taken together?

Sometimes, a beta-blocker is combined with an alpha-blocker. This may be useful for men who have hypertension and an enlarged prostate. The alpha-blocker may help both problems at the same time. Other combinations may include an ACE inhibitor with a thiazide diuretic.

Which drug has both alpha 1 selective and beta blocking effects?

Labetalol and other agents that block both alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors.

Can alpha-blockers and beta-blockers be taken together?

What are some side effects of alpha blockers?

sudden drops in blood pressure when sitting up or standing up.

Is alfuzosin an alpha blocker?

May 10, 2019. Alfuzosin is an alpha-receptor blocker. It inhibits the activation of alpha receptors present primarily in the smooth muscles of the lower urinary tract. Inhibition of alpha receptors relaxes the smooth muscles relieving symptoms of prostatic hyperplasia and improving urinary flow.

Can alpha blockers help treat your high blood pressure?

Alpha blockers are used in combination with other drugs to treat high blood pressure and can treat prostate problems in men. Alpha blockers lower blood pressure by keeping the hormone norepinephrine from tightening the muscles in the walls of smaller arteries and veins. As a result, the vessels remain open and relaxed.

What are examples of alpha-adrenergic blockers?

Doxazosin (Cardura)