Alpha blockers

Question 1

Alpha-blockers - indications

Answer 1

1. Resistant hypertension (add-on tx)

2. Benign prostatic hyperplasia

Question 2

Alpha-blockers - MOA

Answer 2

alpha-1 receptors mainly found in smooth muscle - including blood vessels and the urinary tract
stimulation of these receptors = contraction

Alpha blockers inhibit this contraction and therefore…
BPH - reduced resistance to bladder outflow

HTN - alpha-blockers cause vasodilatation and therefore a fall in BP

Question 3

Alpha-blockers - adverse effects

Answer 3

postural hypotension

dizziness

syncope

note: especially likely to experience symptoms after the first dose

Question 4

Alpha-blockers - contraindications

Answer 4

patients with postural hypotension

Question 5

Alpha-blockers - interactions

Answer 5

on the day of starting the alpha blocker, omit any other medication that causes a drop in BP (especially beta blockers!)

Question 6

Alpha-blockers - administration

Answer 6

take at bedtime (due to BP lowering effects)

note: make sure to communicate to patient to get up from the bed SLOWLY

Question 7

Alpha-blockers - monitoring

Answer 7

patients symptoms (BPH) and BP (HTN) will indicate efficacy of treatment

Question 8

Alpha blockers - examples

Answer 8

Doxazocin

Tamsulosin

Alfuzosin