al·pha-block·er

(ăl′fə-blŏk′ər)

A drug that blocks or counteracts the effects of epinephrine and other molecules that stimulate alpha-receptors, leading to various physiological reactions such as vasodilation and a decrease in blood pressure. Also called alpha-adrenergic antagonist, alpha-adrenergic blocker.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

alpha-blocker

(Pharmacology) any of a class of drugs that prevent the stimulation of alpha adrenoceptors, a type of receptor in the sympathetic nervous system, by adrenaline and noradrenaline and that therefore cause widening of blood vessels: used in the treatment of high blood pressure and prostatic hyperplasia

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

alpha-blocker - any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder

alpha blocker, alpha-adrenergic blocker, alpha-adrenergic blocking agent

blocking agent, blocker - a class of drugs that inhibit (block) some biological process

Minipress, prazosin - antihypertensive drug (trade name Minipress)

Hytrin, terazosin - antihypertensive drug (trade name Hytrin) used to treat high blood pressure

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References in periodicals archive

Researchers reviewed data from two cohorts (one from the U.K., another from Taiwan) involving a total of nearly 147,000 men treated with 5-ARIs--finasteride (Proscar[R]) or dutasteride (Avodart[R])--or the selective alpha-blocker tamsulosin (Flomax[R]).

Use of Certain BPH Drugs Associated with Increased Diabetes Risk

We included six studies with 335 participants (alpha-blocker 185, placebo with/without analgesics 150) in the analysis for SFR [21, 22, 23-25, 27].

Medical and surgical interventions for the treatment of urinary stones in children: A Cochrane Review

ALLHAT (Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial) linked the alpha-blocker doxazosin (Cardura) to an increased risk of heart failure and stroke, which led to the early cessation of the doxazosin arm.

Years after ALLHAT, alpha-blocker use still common, risky

Selective alpha-blockers are commonly used, as the nonselective alpha-blocker phenoxybenzamine, which remains the gold standard, is not easily accessible in Canada.

Extreme and Cyclical Blood Pressure Elevation in a Pheochromocytoma Hypertensive Crisis

Drug class listed Drug name in publication Actual drug class Apraclonidine Adrenergic agonist [Alpha.sub.2]-agonist Brimonidine (ophthalmic) Adrenergic agonist [Alpha.sub.2]-agonist; antiglaucoma Dapiprazole Miotic Alpha-blocker Dipivefrine Prostaglandin Prodrug of epinephrine Naphazoline (ophthalmic) Decongestant [Alpha.sub.1]-agonist; vasoconstrictor; imidazoline derivative Tetryzoline (ophthalmic) Decongestant Adrenergic agonist; vasoconstrictor; imidazoline derivative

Comment on "The Role of Medications in Causing Dry Eye"

Safety and tolerability of solifenacin add-on therapy to alpha-blocker treated men with residual urgency and frequency.

Tamsulosin and Solifenacin in the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in combination with overactive bladder

Loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics, angiotensin receptor blocker, beta-blocker, and alpha-blocker were not associated with the risk of NOF.

Long-term Effects of Antihypertensive Drug Use and New-onset Osteoporotic Fracture in Elderly Patients: A Population-based Longitudinal Cohort Study

Use of anti-hypertensive drugs such as selective beta blocker, alpha-blocker, CCB and/or other combinations more commonly used in non-diabetic than in diabetics.

Antihypertensive drug utilisation pattern among chronic kidney disease patients undergoing maintenance dialysis in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Along with type II 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and anti-cholinergics, alpha-blocker medications are frequently used in urology for the treatment of LUTS and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Urological implications of falls in the elderly: lower urinary tract symptoms and alpha-blocker medications

Material and methods: In our study, we included one hundred patients with LUTS who did not receive any medical treatment, and one hundred patients with LUTS who did not respond to alpha-blocker drugs other than doxazosin XL (8 mg).

The use of primary and secondary doxazosin xl 8 mg in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: is there a new approach in the event of alpha-blocker failure: Benign prostat hiperplazisinde primer ye sekonder doksazosin XL 8 mg tedavisi: Baarisiz alfa bloker tedavisinde yeni bir yaklaim var mi?

Alpha-blocker medications can relax the smooth muscles in the bladder neck and prostate to improve urine flow.

I've been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate

Labetalol is both a selective alpha-blocker and a nonselective beta-blocker that decreases systemic vascular resistance without changing maternal cardiac output.

Labetalol doesn't affect nonstress tests