Rapaflo Alternatives

If you experience bothersome side effects or do not feel that your symptoms are improving with the use of Rapaflo (silodosin), alternatives to the medication are available. Common substitutes for this medication include other drugs, "watchful waiting," and surgery. Medication alternatives to Rapaflo include 5-alpha reductase inhibitors and other alpha-1 blockers.

Possible Rapaflo Alternatives

There are several alternatives to Rapaflo™ (silodosin) for an enlarged prostate (known medically as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). These alternatives include:
 
  • "Watchful waiting"
  • Other BPH medications
  • Surgery.
     
Watchful Waiting
Watchful waiting is a commonly used medical term that refers to careful monitoring of a condition rather than treatment. Watchful waiting is especially appropriate if a man does not have any enlarged prostate symptoms or if the symptoms are not too bothersome. Watchful waiting will include regular visits to your healthcare provider.
 
Medication Alternatives to Rapaflo
There are basically two types of medicines used to treat BPH:
 
  • Alpha-1 blockers (alpha blockers for short): These medicines help relax the muscles near the prostate. They have no effect on the size of the prostate, but they can work very quickly. Rapaflo belongs to this category of medications. Other medicines in this class that are considered Rapaflo alternatives for the treatment of BPH include:

 

Because some alpha-1 blockers are also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), they may be especially helpful for men with both BPH and high blood pressure. Common side effects of alpha-1 blockers include dizziness, fatigue, and headache.
  • 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: These medicines block the formation of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), helping to shrink the prostate. These medications may take awhile to see results. There are currently two of these medications available:

 

Common side effects of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors include decreased libido (sex drive), erectile dysfunction (also known as impotence or ED), and decreased ejaculate volume.
Surgery
If BPH is causing severe symptoms or if medication is not helping, surgery is an option. There are several different types of surgeries for an enlarged prostate.
 
(Click BPH Surgery for more information.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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