[Uroselectivity of alpha-1 antagonism in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy: on the pharmacologic concept of the clinical approach].

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the most common cause of voiding dysfunction in men. It becomes symptomatic from the fifth decade of life and needs treatment in 50 per cent of patients. Hyperplastic prostatic tissue and the smooth involuntary sphincter have a high density of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, thus alpha 1-blockers can decrease sphincter tone and reduce the tension exerted by the prostatic muscular component. Attempts have been made to find alpha 1-antagonists that have a selective effect on the prostate (alfuzosin), are long acting (tamsulosin, terazosin, doxazosin) or present specificity on the alpha 1A prostatic adrenoceptors (tamsulosin), in order to maintain efficacy without affecting blood pressure. Finasteride, a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor without hypotensive side-effect may be more effective in men with a predominantly glandular component to their benign hyperplasia or with very large prostate glands, but has a longer onset of action and produces more adverse sexual effects. Thus, alpha-1 antagonists can be considered as an appropriate treatment option in patients with troublesome symptoms of BPH and who have not developed serious complications indicating surgery.