The document discusses α-blockers, a class of drugs used to treat various conditions, including hypertension and urinary symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It categorizes α-blockers into non-selective and selective types, detailing their applications, examples, and adverse effects. Additionally, the document compares α-blockers to ACE inhibitors and SSRIs regarding their mechanisms, uses, and side effects.

1. Understanding
α-Blockers
Alpha-blockersareaclassofdrugsthatcanhelptreata
varietyofconditions,fromurinarysymptomsofBPHto
hypertensionandevendepression.Inthispresentation,
we'llexplorethedifferenttypesofalpha-blockersand
theiruses.
Dr.ShivankanKakkar,MD

2. Classificationofα-Blockers
TypeofAlphaBlocker Examples
Non-selectivealphablockers Phenoxybenzamine,Phentolamine
Alpha-1selectiveblockers Doxazosin,Prazosin,Terazosin,
Tamsulosin
Alpha-2selectiveblockers Mirtazapine

3. Non-Selectiveα-Blockers
Phenoxybenzamine
Anirreversiblenon-selectivealpha-
blockerwithapplicationsinthe
preoperativepreventionof
hypertensivecrisisinpatientswith
pheochromocytoma.
Phentolamine
Areversiblenon-selectivealpha-
blockerusedtoinactivatetyramine-
containingfoodsforpatientson
MAOinhibitorsandtomanage
severecocaine-induced
hypertension.

4. PhenoxybenzamineandPhentolamine
AdverseEffects
OrthostaticHypotension ReflexTachycardia

5. α1SelectiveBlockers
1
Prazosin
Anα1selectiveblockerused
totreathypertensioninboth
menandwomen,post-
traumaticstressdisorder
(PTSD),andanxiety
disorders.
2
Doxazosin
Thisdrugisanα1blocker
thatisprimarilyusedtotreat
urinarysymptomsofbenign
prostatichyperplasia(BPH),
aswellashypertension.
3
Terazosin
Anα1blockerthatisalso
usedtotreaturinary
symptomsofbenign
prostatichyperplasia(BPH),
aswellashypertension.

6. α1BlockersAdverseEffects
1
1st-DoseOrthostatic
Hypotension
Asuddendropinblood
pressureafterthefirstdosein
bothmenandwomen.
2
Dizziness
Afeelingoflightheadedness
andunsteadiness.
3
Headache
Apainintheheadthatcan
becausedbyavarietyof
factors,includingsensitivity
tolightandsound,sinus
pressure,andstress.

7. Tamsulosinisaselectivealpha-1Aand
alpha-1Dadrenergicreceptor
antagonist.
Itsselectivityforthesereceptorsintheprostateglandreducessmoothmuscle
toneandallowsforincreasedurineflowinpatientswithbenignprostatic
hyperplasia(BPH).

8. α2SelectiveBlockers
Mirtazapine
Thisselectiveα2blockerisprimarilyusedasan
antidepressant.Itisknowntoincreaseserumcholesterol
andappetite,whilealsocausingsedation.

9. MirtazapineAdverseEffects
Sedation
Commonlyreportedasone
ofthesideeffectsof
mirtazapine,sedationcan
resultinincreasedsleepiness
andreducedmental
alertness.
IncreasedSerum
Cholesterol
Studieshaveshownthat
mirtazapinecanincrease
serumcholesterollevels,
whichcouldpotentiallylead
tootherhealth
complications.
IncreasedAppetite
Thisdrugisknowntocause
anincreaseinappetite,which
couldleadtoweightgain
andotherrelatedproblems.

10. α1BlockersvsACEInhibitors
α1Blockers ACEInhibitors
Primarilyusedtotreathypertension
andurinarysymptomsassociated
withBPH.
Usedtotreathypertensionand
heartfailure,aswellasreducethe
risksofcardiovasculardiseases.
Cancauseheadaches,dizzinessand
first-doseorthostatichypotension.
Adverseeffectsincludedrycough,
increasedpotassium,andkidney
damage.
Targetα1adrenergicreceptorsin
bloodvessels,reducingblood
pressure.
Blocktheactivityoftheangiotensin-
convertingenzyme,preventingthe
formationofangiotensinII,andin
turnreducingbloodpressure.

11. MirtazapinevsSSRI
Mirtazapine SSRI
Addressesdepressionbyblockingα2
receptorsinthebrain,leadingtoan
increaseintheamountofserotonin
andnorepinephrineinthebrain.
Targetsserotoninreuptake
receptorsinthebrain,increasingits
availability.
Cancausesedation,increased
appetite,andincreasedcholesterol.
Adverseeffectsincludeanxiety,
agitation,insomnia,andsexual
dysfunction.
Mirtazapineismoreeffectiveat
treatingsymptomssuchasinsomnia
anddecreasedappetite,common
symptomsofdepression.
SSRI'saretypicallyprescribedbefore
Mirtazapine,astheyaremore
effectiveattreatingseverecasesof
depression.

12. α1Blockersvsβ-Blockers
α1Blockers β-Blockers
Primarilyusedforhypertensionand
BPHurinarysymptoms.
Usedforhypertension,heartfailure,
andheartattacks.
Adverseeffectsincludeorthostatic
hypotensionanddizziness.
Adverseeffectsincludebradycardia,
hypotension,andheartfailure.
Targetalpha-adrenergicreceptorsin
smoothmuscleofbloodvessels.
Targetbeta-adrenergicreceptorsin
theheartandotherpartsofthe
body.