Category:Alpha blockers

Alpha blockers

Alpha blockers are used mainly in the management of hypertension and to relieve urinary obstruction in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Drugs such as prazosin are much more potent in blocking alpha1 than alpha2 adrenoceptors and are often termed selective alpha1 blockers. Blockade of alpha1 adrenoceptors inhibits the vasoconstriction. Both arteriolar and venous vasodilatation may occur resulting in a fall in blood pressure because of decreased peripheral resistance.

Alpha blockers also act at alpha adrenoceptors in nonvascular smooth muscle, for example in the bladder where alpha blockade produces decreased resistance to urinary outflow.