'''Alpha-1 blockers''' (also called alpha-adrenergic blocking agents) constitute a variety of drugs which block α<sub>1</sub>-adrenergic receptors in arteries and smooth muscles.

==Indications==
These drugs may be used to treat:
* benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)<ref name="pmid12496768"></ref>
**Lower urinary tract symptoms
**Post Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) and Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA) procedures
* high blood pressure (hypertension). This is not typically the drug of choice unless the patient also has BPH.
* symptoms of [http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw72762 non inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome], a type of prostatitis. As a side effect they may reduce blood pressure and result in lightheadedness.

==Examples of alpha blockers==
Alpha blockers include:
* Doxazosin<ref name="pmid15879806"></ref> (Cardura)
* Prazosin (Minipress)
* Phenoxybenzamine
* Phentolamine (Regitine)
* Tamsulosin (Flomaxtra/Flomax)
* Alfuzosin  (Uroxatral)
* Terazosin (Hytrin)

Tamsulosin is relatively selective for α<sub>1a</sub>-adrenergic receptors, which are mainly present in the prostate. Hence, it may have a more selective action in BPH with minimal effects on blood pressure.

==Adverse effects and interactions==
By reducing α<sub>1</sub>-adrenergic activity of the blood vessels, these drugs may cause titrating upwards as needed.

Because these medications may cause orthostatic hypotension, as well as interact with other medications that increase risk for hypotension, such as other antihypertensives and vasodilators.

L' '''Alfa bloccante''' (anche detto ''agente bloccante alfa adrenergico'') è costituito da una varietà di molecole che bloccano il ''recettore adrenergico Alfa CE.B1'' nelle arterie e nella muscolatura liscia. 

==Indicazioni==

Queste molecole possono curare:
* ipertrofia prostatica benigna (BPH)
* ipertensione (hypertension). This is not typically the drug of choice unless the patient also has BPH.
* sintomi della [http://health.yahoo.com/ency/healthwise/hw72762 Sindrome pelvica non infiammatoria cronica], un tipo di prostatite. Come effetto collaterale possono ridurre l'ipertensione.

==Tipi di alfa bloccanti in commercio==
Gli alfa bloccanti sono:
* Doxazosin (Cardura)
* Prazosin (Minipress)
* Phenoxybenzamine
* Phentolamine (Regitine)
* Tamsulosin (Flomaxtra/Flomax)
* Alfuzosin  (Uroxatral)
* Terazosin (Hytrin)

Il Tamsulosin è relativamente selettivo per l' ''α<sub>1a</sub>-adrenergic receptors'', che è principalmente presente nella prostata. Esso ha una azione più selettiva sulla BPH, con un impatto minimo sulla pressione sanguigna.

==Effetti collaterali ed interazioni==