$Unique_ID{BRK01925}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Cold Medications and an Enlarged Prostate}
$Subject{Cold medicate medication Medications enlarge Enlarged Prostate
preparation preparations urinate urination antihistamine antihistamines
decongestant decongestants chemical chemicals histamine histamines muscle
muscles bladder blood vessel vessels tissue tissues nose neck urine}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Benign Hypertrophy of the Prostate*0007602.scf}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Cold Medications and an Enlarged Prostate


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QUESTION:  My friend, who is always complaining about his physical ailments,
now tells me that his doctor won't let him take a simple cold pill because he
has "prostate trouble".  I let most of his stories go by without questioning,
but this one seems a bit farfetched.  Could you explain this or just debunk it
if it proves to be foolish?

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ANSWER:  It does make sense and if you just check the label on some cold
preparations, you will discover a warning concerning use by people with
urination problems due to large prostates.  Cold preparations often contain
two different types of medications, antihistamines and decongestants.
Antihistamines help to work against chemicals that result from an allergic
reaction (histamines) but they also can relax the smooth muscles of the
bladder, reducing their ability to empty the bladder.  While decongestants
help constrict the swollen blood vessels in the tissue lining the nose that
result from a cold, these same chemicals act to tighten the muscles located at
the exit of the bladder (bladder neck) that must open to allow the urine to
pass out of the bladder.
     In the case of a man with an enlarged prostate, the speed of urine flow
is reduced, as the prostate squeezes against the passage, reducing its size
and capacity.  The effects of the medication aggravate this condition.  Men
with prostate problems, however, may still use cold preparations by starting
with a smaller dose, half the recommended dosage.  If there is no worsening of
symptoms, a full dose may be used for the few days necessary to relieve cold
symptoms.  If difficulty in urinating develops, the medication should be
discontinued.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.