4.9: Alpha-1 Antagonists

Last updated
Save as PDF

Page ID: 24250

Ernstmeyer & Christman (Eds.)
Chippewa Valley Technical College via OpenRN

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

Tamsulosin is an Alpha-1 antagonist.

Mechanism of Action: Tamsulosin selectively blocks alpha receptors in the prostate, leading to the relaxation of smooth muscles in the bladder, neck, and prostate, thus improving urine flow and reducing symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

Indications: Tamsulosin is used to treat BPH.

Nursing Considerations: Avoid using with other alpha-blockers. Tamsulosin is contraindicated with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole. Assess and monitor blood pressure, especially after first dose because tamsulosin may cause orthostatic hypotension.

Patient Teaching & Education: Advise patients to change positions slowly because the drug may cause orthostatic blood pressure changes. Additionally, the patient should take the medication at the same time each day. The patient should follow up with their healthcare provider to assess the effectiveness of the medication.^{^[1]}

Now let’s take a closer look at the medication grid on tamsulosin in Table 4.9.^{^[2]}

Table 4:9 Tamsulosin Medication Grid
Class/Subclass	Prototype/Generic	Administration Considerations	Therapeutic Effects	Side/Adverse Effects
Alpha-1 antagonist	tamsulosin	Avoid using with other alpha- blockers Assess and monitor blood pressure, especially after first dose	Relaxes smooth muscle in bladder/prostate to improve urine flow	Hypotension, especially after first dose. Advise patient to change positions slowly

uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https://www.unboundmedicine.com/ucentral↵
This work is a derivative of Daily Med by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the public domain. ↵