The name of your tablets is Xatral XL. This belongs to a group of medicines called alpha-blockers. Xatral XL can be used to treat the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. This is when the prostate gland enlarges (hyperplasia) but the growth is not cancerous (it is benign). It can cause problems in passing water (urine).
This happens mainly in older men.
• The prostate gland lies underneath the bladder. It surrounds the urethra. This is the tube that takes your water to the outside of the body.
• If the prostate gets bigger, it presses on the urethra making it smaller. This makes it difficult to pass water.
• Your tablets work by relaxing the prostate gland muscle. This allows the urethra to get bigger and so makes it easier to pass water.
In a few patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, the prostate gland gets so big that it stops the flow of urine completely.
This is called Acute Urinary Retention.
• This is very painful and you may need a short stay in hospital.
• A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is passed into the bladder. This drains the water and relieves the pain.
• During this time, Xatral XL may be used to help the water to flow again. This has only been shown to help in men aged over 65.