Emergency Med Medical News about Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists Urinary Retention Device Removal Urinary Catheterization

Become a Member Today!
Register

Most Viewed Abstracts

1. Report Shows Shift in Starting Salaries for Physicians

2. Use of Antiemetic Agents in Acute Gastroenteritis

3. 2008 Exclusive Survey—Earnings: Good news for primary care income

4. Medicare pay-for-reporting effort draws fire from frustrated doctors

5. Debunking Myths in the US Healthcare System

Your Article Summary

See Latest Articles

(Click the title below to leave the MDLinx Network and go to the Journal's Website)

Alpha blockers prior to removal of a catheter for acute urinary retention in adult men
Cochrane Reviews, 10/19/09

Zeif H–J et al. – In five clinical trials men were either given a sugar tablet (placebo, inactive drug) or alpha blockers for one to three days (and in one study up to a maximum of eight days) before the catheter was removed. The results suggested that alpha blocker treatment increased the chances of successful catheter removal and resumption of normal voiding although the overall scientific evidence available to support this was limited. Two different alpha blockers were tested (tamsulosin and alfuzosin). Their results were similar. Side effects caused by alpha blockers were few and comparable to placebo treatment. They included lack of ejaculation, dizziness, low blood pressure, fainting, sleepiness, feeling unwell and headache. There was not enough evidence to say whether alpha blockers also reduce the risk of suffering another (recurrent) episode of urinary retention after successful catheter removal or whether they reduce the need for future surgery on the prostate. It is therefore unclear whether or for how long alpha blocker treatment should be continued after successful catheter removal and whether the costs of alpha blocker treatment in such situations are justified.

<< Previous
Widened paediatric symphysis pubis: nontraumatic and with no...

Next >>
Estimating Blood Loss: Comparative Study of the Accuracy of...