Flomax for Prostate: Generic and Alternative Options

Flomax is one commonly used option to treat prostate enlargement among other generic and natural alternatives. Although it is often effective, Flomax does have some side effects and is one of the more expensive options for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

If the cost of Flomax is stretching your budget, doxazosin is a generic alpha blocker that can also be effective in treating enlarged prostate symptoms and only costs about $10 a month, according to Consumer Reports, which credits the popularity of Flomax to clever advertising and patients’ lack of knowledge about cheaper alternatives.

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If the side effects are a bigger issue for you with Flomax, Uroxatral is a more selective alpha blocker with fewer and less severe side effects than Flomax, according to Health Central. Common side effects of Flomax include dizziness, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction. Most alpha blockers have been known to function similarly to one another even though they vary in price and side effects.

Other drug treatments approved for BPH include Cardura, Hytrin, and Proscar, some of which have generic options. Proscar has been shown to shrink the prostate, but can have similar side effects to Flomax, according to CVS Health.

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There are also many natural alternative treatments for the symptoms of BPH, which include difficulty or pain with urination as well as the inability to fully empty the bladder. CVS documents the use of the herb saw palmetto by many BPH sufferers in Great Britain. Effects were mixed, with some patients experiencing symptom relief and others seeing only mild improvement.

Other natural alternative treatments include pygeum bark, nettle root, and grass pollen. Beta-sitosterol is a plant compound that also has been shown to be effective in improving BPH symptoms. CVS reported a combination treatment of saw palmetto and nettle root showed improved effectiveness over either treatment alone.

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