The prostate gland refers to a male reproductive structure that surrounds the urethra, a structure through which urine exits. Sometimes the prostate gland can become enlarged. In some instances, the prostate cells can grow at a rapid rate and lead to prostate cancer. Medications can treat conditions of the prostate gland.
Dutasteride
Dutasteride, commonly sold as Avodart, is a medication used to treat an enlarged prostate, medically known as benign prostate hyperplasia. Specifically, this medication prevents testosterone from changing into dihydrotestosterone, the chemical necessary to enlarge the prostate gland.
Drugs.com says that dutasteride's less serious side effects include a decreased sex drive, breast tenderness and difficulty achieving an erection. Other less serious effects of dutasteride include decreased semen production during sex. Notify a doctor if dutasteride's common effects last for more than a week.
Bicalutamide
Bicalutamide, commonly sold as Casodex, is another medication used to treat prostate cancer. It is an anti-androgen medication that works to prevent the male hormones in the body from working.
Drugs.com says that bicalutamide's milder side effects include breast pain or swelling, hot flashes, back pain, weight changes and dizziness. This drug's other mild side effects include back or pelvic pain, diarrhea, constipation, weight changes and impotence. Notify a physician when bicalutamide's mild side effects last for more than a week.
Bicalutamide's serious effects include chest pain, trouble breathing, a cough, pale skin and easy bleeding or bruising. This drug's other serious effects include stomach pain, a poor appetite and swelling of the feet or hands. In some instances, bicalutamide can also lead to liver problems. Signs of this include dark urine, clay-colored stools, stomach pain, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes and itching. Call a doctor if bicalutamide use leads to these effects.
A change in bicalutamide's dose may be necessary when suffering from such diseases as diabetes, liver disease or any other chronic illnesses. This medication is given as an injection once every four weeks.
Silodosin
Silodosin, commonly sold as Rapaflo, is another medication used to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia. Specifically, this medication belongs to a class of drugs known as alpha-blockers. This drug works to relax the bladder and prostate muscles.
MedlinePlus, a website of the National Institutes of Health, indicates that silodosin's common effects include diarrhea, dizziness, a runny or stuffy nose, low blood pressure and problems producing semen. Call a doctor if silodosin's common effects last for more than one week. Silodosin's serious effects include priapism, a condition in which an erection lasts for more than four hours. Call a physician when silodosin leads to these effects.
Silodosin is available as a capsule taken once daily.
