CapseraAlpha-1 adrenergic blockers
Compare the named medicines in this source-linked class directory.
Membership describes a named action or a component of a combination. A medicine may appear in several families. Medicines in one family are not automatically interchangeable; this is a study directory, not a prescribing guide.
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This medicine has additional actions; this family describes only one of them.
This medicine has additional actions; this family describes only one of them.
Generic names and pronunciation
| Tamsulosin · tam-SOO-loe-sin |
| Carvedilol · KAR-ve-dil-ol |
| Doxazosin · dox-AY-zoe-sin |
| Terazosin · ter-AY-zoe-sin |
| Labetalol · la-BET-a-lol |
Pronunciation is shown for the US English generic name.
Body system and related classes
Body systems: Genitourinary · Cardiovascular
How each medicine works
| Tamsulosin — Blocks alpha-1 adrenoceptors with selectivity for receptors in the human prostate. Relaxation of prostate and bladder-neck smooth muscle improves urine flow and BPH symptoms. |
| Carvedilol — Racemic mixture: nonselective beta-blockade from the S(-) enantiomer and alpha-1 blockade from both enantiomers; no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. |
| Doxazosin — Selectively blocks postjunctional alpha-1 receptors, lowering urethral resistance and systemic vascular resistance. |
| Terazosin — Alpha-1 adrenoceptor antagonist; relaxes smooth muscle, easing the dynamic component of BPH outlet obstruction. |
| Labetalol — Combines selective competitive alpha1 blockade with nonselective competitive beta blockade. |
Each summary is the mechanism line from the medicine’s study card.
What each medicine is used for
| Tamsulosin — Benign prostatic hyperplasia (signs and symptoms) |
| Carvedilol — Mild-to-severe chronic heart failure of ischemic or cardiomyopathic origin, usually with other heart-failure medicines; Reduction of cardiovascular mortality in clinically stable survivors of acute myocardial infarction with LVEF at or below 40%; Essential hypertension |
| Doxazosin — Benign prostatic hyperplasia (signs/symptoms); Hypertension |
| Terazosin — Signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in adult men; Hypertension in adults |
| Labetalol — Hypertension in adults |
Each list is the uses line from the medicine’s study card.
Telling these medicines apart
Medicines in this class: 5
Also in other drug classes: Carvedilol (Beta-adrenergic blockers) · Labetalol (Beta-adrenergic blockers)
By body system: Genitourinary (Tamsulosin, Doxazosin, Terazosin) · Cardiovascular (Carvedilol, Labetalol)
Carvedilol — Also blocks beta receptors; membership in the alpha-1 class does not imply a single mechanism.
Labetalol — Also blocks beta receptors; membership in the alpha-1 class does not imply a single mechanism.
Listed on more than one card in this class
Used for
Hypertension in adults · 2/5: Terazosin, Labetalol
Common side effects
Dizziness · 4/5: Tamsulosin, Carvedilol, Doxazosin, Labetalol
Fatigue · 3/5: Carvedilol, Doxazosin, Labetalol
Asthenia · 2/5: Tamsulosin, Terazosin
Hypotension · 2/5: Carvedilol, Doxazosin
Warnings
Intraoperative floppy iris syndrome · 2/5: Tamsulosin, Doxazosin
Postural hypotension / syncope · 2/5: Doxazosin, Labetalol
An item counts as shared only when both cards use the same wording. If a card does not list an item, that is not a statement that the effect never occurs.