What are the differences between Flomax, Uroxatral, and Avodart?

Dear Dr. Motola,

What are the differences between Flomax, Uroxatral, and Avodart?

Flomax and Uroxatral are both drugs that are alpha-bockers. These drugs help to relax muscle fibers that squeeze the prostate. By relaxing these muscle fibers, the flow of urine will improve, your bladder should empty more effectively and urinary frequency should decrease.

Avodart is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Its effect on the prostate is to shrink the overall size of the prostate. Maximum effects from this drug are usually not seen until 3-6 months of therapy have been completed.

Many Urologists will start their patients on an alpha-blocker and after the patient starts to experience relief of symptoms, will add a 5-alpha reducatse inhibitor to then shrink the prostate. If the prostate shrinks, the alpha-blocker can then be stopped.