Bactrim (BAK-trim) Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim) is a combination antibiotic that can be used for the treatment of acute bacterial or chronic prostatitis. Bactrim Warnings When you take Bactrim for prostatitis there are several important warnings and precautions you should be aware of. Black box warnings are used by the FDA to communicate important prescribing information to…
Flexeril (FLEKS-e-rill) Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride [sye-kloe-BENza-preen]) is a muscle relaxant that can be used to treat pain caused by inflammatory or noninflammatory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Flexeril Warnings This drug may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Until you are certain you can perform certain activities safely, do not drive, operate machinery, or perform any…
Ditropan (dee-TRA-pane) Ditropan (oxybutynin [OX-i-BYOO-ti-nin]) is an antimuscarinic drug used to relax the muscles in the bladder and urinary tract. It is an antispasmodic that aids in treating urinary frequency and urgency. Ditropan Warnings Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or larynx may occur while taking this medication, especially after the first dose. Swelling involving…
Lyrica (LEER-ri-kah) Lyrica (pregabalin [pre-GAB-a-lin]) is primarily used to treat fibromyalgia, pain from shingles, or nerve pain from diabetes or spinal cord injury. This drug is also used to treat partial onset seizures in cases of adult epilepsy involving one or more seizure medications. Lyrica Warnings This medication and other antiepileptic drugs may increase suicidal…
Neurontin (NUR-on-tin) Neurontin (gabapentin [GAB-a-PEN-tin]) is an anticonvulsant/antiepileptic medication that may be used to treat neuropathic pain conditions associated with prostatitis. Neurontin Warnings Neurontin and other antiepileptic drugs increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. If you are taking Neurontin for prostatitis or any other condition, your doctor should monitor you carefully for signs…
Valium (VAL-ee-um) Valium (diazepam [die-AZ-eh-PAM) was originally brought to the market by the pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche in 1963. It is a benzodiazepine that impacts the brain and central nervous system to produce a calming affect. It is prescribed for treatment of pain associated with prostatitis. Valium Warnings When you take Valium (diazepam) for prostatitis…
Tips to better sleep include several ways to help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up more refreshed. Many adults do not get enough sleep, and it takes a toll on their physical, emotional, and mental well-being. They wake up feeling tired, get sleepy during the day, and don’t have enough energy. Does this…
The cost of Zytiga (abiraterone acetate) may be one factor that men who have late-stage prostate cancer might use when comparing medications or making medical decisions. Zytiga costs $5,000 per month. The average treatment course is eight months, so the cost of Zytiga is approximately $40,000 for a full course of treatment. Additional costs for…
Proscar (PRAH-scar) Proscar (finasteride [fih NAH steh ride]) is a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor that prevents conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. It is used in men to shrink an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia—BPH). It helps relax muscles to increase urine flow and reduce pain for men with prostatitis. Proscar Warnings Proscar may artificially decrease…
Robaxin (roe-BAKS-in) Robaxin (Methocarbamol [meth-oh-KAR-ba-mal]) is a muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasms and pain. It is usually used in conjunction with other treatment, including physical therapy and rest. Robaxin Warnings If you are allergic to any of the ingredients found in Robaxin (methocarbamol) for prostatitis do not take this drug. Robaxin may produce a…
There are a number of foods that are good for prostate health, and there are are bad ones too. It can be hard to know which ones are which. Out of these common foods—soy, green tea, foods rich in calcium, vegetables, and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids—can you name which foods are good for prostate…
Tofranil (TAH-fre-nil) Tofranil (Imipramine)(im-IP-ra-meen) is a tricyclic antidepressant used to treat depression and certain types of ongoing pain. This medication may work to block the effect of a natural substance called Acetylcholine with respect to the bladder. Tofranil Warnings Anti-depressives such as Tofranil contain a black box warning such as the following: Suicidality and Antidepressant…
Avodart (uh-VOE-dart) Avodart (dutasteride [doo-TAS-ter-ide]) is a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor that prevents conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. It is used to treat an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH). It improves the flow of urine and shrinks the prostate. It relaxes the muscles to increase urine flow and reduce pain associated with prostatitis….
Uroxatral (Yoor-AHKS-e-trel) Uroxatral (alfuzosin [al-FYOO-zoe-sin]) is an alpha-adrenergic blocker (alpha blocker) that relaxes prostate and bladder-related muscles to improve problems related to urination and urine flow. It helps with painful urination, urinary frequency, and urinary urgency. Uroxatral Warnings Uroxatral and other alpha blockers may cause postural hypotension (dizziness) within a few hours of use. Avoid…
You might have a bottle of turmeric sitting in your kitchen spice rack, but perhaps a better spot in the home for it is the medicine cabinet. Practitioners of both Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine have used turmeric for centuries. There are many health benefits of turmeric and one of turmeric’s active components, curcumin. Turmeric (Curcuma…
Garlic health benefits for men might surprise you. We all know that garlic tastes good, but this member of the lily family also packs in the nutritional benefits for men. It is a safe and inexpensive way to eat well to be well, and it is well documented that people have been eating garlic for…
Hytrin (HIGH-trin) Hytrin (terazosin HCL [ter-AY-zo-sin]) is an alpha-adrenergic blocker (also called an alpha blocker) used to treat urinary symptoms related to an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH), as well as to treat high blood pressure. It can be used to treat urinary symptoms associated with prostatitis. Hytrin Warnings Hytrin and other alpha…
High protein diets like the Atkins diet sound great to many people. Eat all the food that you love without feeling hungry and while losing weight? A weight loss diet that says you can eat all the bacon you want sounds too good to be true…and that is exactly right. High protein diets are actually…
Tetracycline (tět’rə-sī’klēn’, -klĭn) Tetracycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections, including bacterial prostatitis. Tetracycline Warnings Do not take this medication to treat a viral infection, as it is unnecessary and will not work to clear the infection. It should only be used to treat bacterial infection. If you have diabetes, this…
It’s probably not news to you that stress can have a significant impact on your health and that stress affects prostate health. What may be surprising is the severity of the effect of stress and anxiety on prostate conditions such as prostatitis, prostate cancer, and enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH) and, perhaps more importantly, the benefits…
