A 55-year-old man with benign prostatic hyperplasia and hypertension is started on a drug that selectively blocks alpha-1A adrenoceptors in the bladder neck and prostate smooth muscle with minimal effect on vascular tone. Which drug best fits this description?
- A Prazosin
- B Phenoxybenzamine
- C Tamsulosin ✓
- D Doxazosin
Correct answer: C. Tamsulosin
Explanation
Tamsulosin is a selective alpha-1A/1D adrenoceptor blocker with much greater affinity for the prostate and bladder neck than for vascular smooth muscle, making it ideal for BPH without significant orthostatic hypotension. Prazosin and doxazosin are non-selective alpha-1 blockers that lower blood pressure substantially. Phenoxybenzamine is a non-selective, irreversible alpha blocker used mainly for pheochromocytoma.
Reference: KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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