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A new brand name drug for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has been released. It is called Rapaflo (silodosin).  Rapaflo is similar to Flomax (tamsulosin). They both work by relaxing the muscles of the prostate. This helps alleviate the symptoms of urinary retention many men with BPH experience.
But is Rapaflo better than other drugs for BPH already on the market? Data shows that Rapaflo may be more selective than other drugs in its class. This could mean less side effects like dizziness and low blood pressure that can occur with similar drugs. However, this same selectivity can also mean more abnormal ejaculation. Men who are considering the medication should consider which side effects they consider to be more troublesome.
If cost is a concern, men may want to consider trying other medications for BPH that are available in generic form such as terasoin or doxazosin. These medications typically cost less, but tend to cause more episodes of dizziness and low blood pressure than other medications. Other medication options for BPH include Uroxatral (alfuzosin extended release) and Cardura XL (doxazosin extended release). These medications are not yet available in generic but may cause less dizziness because of their controlled release formulation. Uroxatral is comparable in cost to Rapaflo but Cardura XL may be significantly cheaper.
Author: Christi Larson, Pharm. D.
Dr. Larson is a Clinical Infusion Pharmacist, author of Empowered Medicine; A Guide for Consumers and creator of www.empoweredmedicine.com. You can read more about her by visiting www.EmpoweredMedicine.com and clicking on the 'About Us' tab. EmpoweredMedicine.com is committed to providing evidence-based medical information.
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