Prostate And Kidney Precautions With Nonprescription Products
W. Steven Pray, PhD, DPhBernhardt Professor, Nonprescription Products and DevicesCollege of Pharmacy
Gabriel E. Pray, PharmD CandidateCollege of PharmacyWeatherford, Oklahoma
US Pharm
When patients ask for assistance with selection of an appropriate nonprescription product, it is vital for the pharmacist to be aware of the various label precautions and warnings. Several groups of products present potential problems for patients with a history of kidney disease or prostate enlargement.
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Celebrex and ibuprofen are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . They should not be taken after drinking beer or other alcohol, since stomach irritation is more likely. We also would advise men to check with their doctors, as NSAIDs can raise blood pressure, cause stomach ulcers and interact with prescription drugs.
Q. I take hydrochlorothiazide and lisinopril to control high blood pressure. My doctor says I am prediabetic and encouraged me to consult a dietitian for advice on diet to prevent diabetes. The nutritionist warned me that HCTZ could raise blood-sugar levels.
A. The dietitian is correct that HCTZ can raise blood sugar. Dont stop this blood-pressure medicine on your own, though. Ask your doctor about another type of blood-pressure medication.
With careful attention to your diet, you may be able to lower both your blood pressure and your blood sugar. We are sending you our book, Favorite Foods From The Peoples Pharmacy. It has chapters describing scientific studies on using food to control blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, as well as a discussion of how to follow the DASH diet .
Q. Is there anything new on the generic version of Wellbutrin XL? My wife had done well on the brand name and then the Watson generic bupropion for several years. She was switched to Teva Budeprion last spring. Gradually, her depression returned. Within a month, she was on the brink of suicide.
Are There Side Effects When Taking Ibuprofen For Prostatitis
Ibuprofen may cause:
- Ringing in the ears
Tell your doctor if any of the symptoms are severe or do not go away. Serious side effects may relate to the cardiovascular system, including stroke, which may result in hospitalization and/or death.
Stop taking ibuprofen and call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these serious side effects:
- Less frequent or ceasing of urination completely
- Upper abdominal pain
- Severe rash or blistering of skin
- Numbness or weakness in muscles
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Iburprofen For Prostate Issues
Q: Have you ever heard of ibuprofen helping men with prostate problems? I am a runner and frequently use ibuprofen after a long run. I discovered that on the days that I took ibuprofen, I didnt have to get up at night to go to the bathroom. When I have beer with the boys in the evening, I take ibuprofen afterward and dont have to get up to pee. Normally, I would be up and down a couple of times.
A: At first we were skeptical that ibuprofen could have any benefit for benign prostate enlargement. Then we did a little digging. You may be on to something.
A double-blind study published in Urology included 80 men whose prostate problems interfered with nightly sleep. Half got Celebrex before bedtime, while the other half received a placebo. After a month, the men on Celebrex had fewer symptoms and half as many nightly trips to the bathroom.
Celebrex and ibuprofen are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . They should not be taken after drinking beer or other alcohol, since stomach irritation is more likely. We also would advise men to check with their doctors, as NSAIDs can raise blood pressure, cause stomach ulcers and interact with prescription drugs.
Dr Roach: Ibuprofen Relieves Some Prostate Symptoms
Dear Dr. Roach: In one of your recent columns you mentioned that some of your patients found success taking ibuprofen for prostate symptoms. Could you expound on this please? I have not been able to find anything on the web to support this. The prescription meds for prostate have negative side effects, so something simple and over-the-counter like Advil would be great if there is evidence to support it. P.C.
Answer: Several studies have indeed shown that ibuprofen along with other anti-inflammatories, such as celecoxib reduces urinary symptoms in men with enlarged prostates, such as the number of times needed to get up during the night, as well as flow rates. The side effect profile of low-dose ibuprofen at nighttime is pretty good, although any medicine can cause side effects, such as stomach upset. My clinical experience is that ibuprofen is helpful for most but not all men, but that it isnt as effective as commonly prescribed medicines like tamsulosin , which also may have side effects. I think ibuprofen is worth a try in men with mild to moderate symptoms.
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When You Need Themand When You Dont
It is normal to want to do everything you can to treat prostate cancer. But its not always a good idea to get all the tests that are available. You may not need them. And the risks from the tests may be greater than the benefits.
The information below explains why cancer experts usually do not recommend certain imaging tests if you are diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer. You can use this information to talk about your options with your doctor and choose whats best for you.
How is prostate cancer usually found?
Prostate cancer is cancer in the male prostate gland. It usually grows slowly and does not have symptoms until it has spread. Most men are diagnosed in the early stages when their doctor does a rectal exam or a PSA blood test. PSA is a protein made in the prostate. High levels of PSA may indicate cancer in the prostate.
If one of these tests shows that you might have prostate cancer, you will be given more tests. These tests help your doctor find out if you actually have cancer and what stage your cancer is.
What are the stages of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is divided into stages one to four . Cancer stages tell how far the cancer has spread.
Stages I and II are considered early-stage prostate cancer. The cancer has not spread outside the prostate. However, stage II cancer may be more likely to spread over time than stage I cancer. In stages III and IV, the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body.
Imaging tests have risks.
Ibuprofen Appears To Ease Nightly Trips To Bathroom
Question:: Have you ever heard of ibuprofen helping men with prostate problems? I am a runner and frequently use ibuprofen after a long run. I discovered that on the days that I took ibuprofen, I didn’t have to get up at night to go to the bathroom.
When I have beer with the boys in the evening, I take ibuprofen afterward and don’t have to get up to go. Normally, I would be up and down a couple of times.
Answer:: At first we were skeptical that ibuprofen could have any benefit for benign prostate enlargement. Then we did a little digging. You may be on to something.
A double-blind study published in Urology included 80 men whose prostate problems interfered with nightly sleep. Half got Celebrex before bedtime, while the other half received a placebo. After a month, the men on Celebrex had fewer symptoms and half as many nightly trips to the bathroom.
Celebrex and ibuprofen are both nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . They should not be taken after drinking beer or other alcohol, since stomach irritation is more likely. We also would advise men to check with their doctors, as NSAIDs can raise blood pressure, cause stomach ulcers and interact with prescription drugs.
Question:: I take hydrochlorothiazide and lisinopril to control high blood pressure. My doctor says I am pre-diabetic and encouraged me to consult a dietitian for advice on diet to prevent diabetes.
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What Medications Should I Avoid If I Have An Enlarged Prostate
Many popular nonprescription cold and allergy medications contain decongestants that can cause the bladder neck to contract. This restricts urine flow and can lead to the complete closure of the bladder opening and cause acute urinary retention. For this reason, these cold and allergy medications are labeled with warnings against their use if a person has benign prostatic hyperplasia — enlarged prostate. While short-term use of these medicines is unlikely to be a significant problem, chronic use should be avoided. Antihistamines also can cause problems because they may interfere with the ability of the bladder to contract. If you think you need medications for allergies, talk to your primary healthcare practitioner about prescription medications that do not cause urinary symptoms.
Foods And Other Things That Can Worsen Symptoms
Medications arent the only triggers of BPH symptoms.
Be careful about how much fluid you consume. The more you drink, the more youll feel the urge to urinate.
Stop drinking water and other fluids a few hours before you go to bed. Youll have less chance of being awakened in the middle of the night by an urgent need to use the restroom.
Diuretics cause your body to release more urine. Avoid drinks that may have a diuretic effect. These include:
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Do I Need To Follow Special Precautions
Ibuprofen is not a substitute for corticosteroids. Patients who are on a lengthy corticosteroid regimen should taper therapy slowly if a physician decides to stop the use of corticosteroids.
Borderline elevations of liver tests may occur in up to 15% of patients taking ibuprofen or other NSAIDs. In rare cases, patients may experience severe reactions involving the liver, including jaundice, fulminant hepatitis, necrosis of the liver, and liver failure some fatalities have been reported.
If a patient notices signs or symptoms that suggest liver dysfunction or has atypical liver tests, the patient should be monitored for symptoms consistent with liver disease. If signs point to liver disease, use of ibuprofen should be discontinued.
Patients may experience anemia when taking ibuprofen or other NSAIDs, as a result of fluid retention, gastrointestinal blood loss, or other issue. Patients using ibuprofen or other NSAIDs for long periods of time should have their hemoglobin or hematocrit tested if they experience symptoms of Anemia.
Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs have been shown to lengthen bleeding time in some patients. Patients taking ibuprofen who have coagulation disorders or are receiving anticoagulants should be monitored carefully.
Ibuprofen should not be given to patients with aspirin-sensitive asthma and should be used cautiously in patients with preexisting asthma.
If you are having any surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking ibuprofen.
What You Need To Know About The Prostate Does Ibuprofen Help With Prostate
A enlarged prostate can also cause blockages in the urethra. A blocked urethra can also damage the kidneys. A patient suffering from an enlargement of the prostate may have pain in his lower abdomen and genitals. If pain is present, a digital rectal examination will reveal hard areas. A doctor may prescribe surgery or perform an endoscopic procedure. If the enlarged prostate is not completely removed, it will shrink.
While the size of an enlarged prostate will influence the extent of urinary symptoms, men may experience a range of urinary symptoms. Some men have minimal or no symptoms at all. Some men will have a very enlarged prostate, whereas others will have a mild enlargement. Generally, the symptoms can stabilize over time. Some men may have an enlarged prostate but not notice it. If they have an enlarged colon, their physician can perform a TURP procedure.
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What About The Pm Part Of The Medication
We also worry about the double dose of diphenhydramine you are getting by taking both Advil PM and Unisom. It can make people feel sluggish in the morning and may affect brain function.
DPH is an anticholinergic medication. We usually urge older people to limit their use of such drugs as much as possible, since regular use can contribute to memory difficulties and confusion. You can learn more about anticholinergic medicines here.
Tips For Relieving Bph Symptoms
Four simple steps can help relieve some of the symptoms of BPH:
For more on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate diseases, read the Annual Report on Prostate Diseases from Harvard Medical School.
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Can Prostate Massage Really Help An Enlarged Prostate
Prostate milking, or prostate massage, has the ability to give men intense relief from prostate problems. The prostate, or the prostate gland is a major organ in the male reproductive system.
Unfortunately, factors like aging and a poor lifestyle can make the prostate weak. This results in an impairment in urinary function, sexual function and prostate inflammation.
> > > Prostate Massage for Optimal Prostate Health
However, by massaging the prostate on a regular basis, blood flow increases in the area. The pain that is related to an inflamed prostate as well as discomfort in the area diminishes.
It is important to know that prostate massage is not a new practice. It is a treatment that has been utilized for thousands of years in Asian culture, and it is still a treatment that is used today.
In fact, many men have reported feeling much better after one prostate massage session.
How Do I Prepare For A Prostate Ultrasound
You dont need to do much to prepare for a prostate ultrasound. Its an outpatient procedure that usually takes less than an hour. Your doctor may refer you to a hospital or clinic that has the proper ultrasound equipment for this test. You may also need to sign a consent form before the test.
Some possible instructions that your doctor might give you before the test include:
- Dont eat for a few hours before the test.
- Take a laxative or enema to help clear out your intestines a few hours before the test.
- Stop taking any medications that can thin your blood, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin, about a week before the procedure. This is usually recommended if your doctor plans to take a biopsy of your prostate.
- Dont wear any jewelry or tight clothes to the clinic on the day of the procedure.
- Take any medications recommended to help you relax during the procedure. Your doctor may recommend a sedative, such as lorazepam .
- Make sure someones available to take you home in case your doctor gives you a sedative.
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About Dr Dan Sperling
Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.
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Is Advil Pm Risky For Nightly Use
Q. I have sleep and prostate problems. I take one Advil PM each night, along with Crestor to control cholesterol and Unisom for insomnia.
I am convinced that the Advil helps relax my prostate and limits me to one bathroom visit per night. I cant tolerate side effects from prescription drugs such as tamsulosin and finasteride .
Is Advil dangerous if taken regularly? In the past, one of my urologists recommended Motrin to reduce my nightly bathroom visits.
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Prostate Cancer And Aspirin
That daily aspirin you are taking for your heart may also be good for your prostate. A preliminary study of 2,500 men suffering from enlarged prostates, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, shows that a daily aspirin is associated with a 50 percent reduction in urinary problems. Researchers theorize that the drug might work by reducing prostate cell growth or increasing the natural death of these cells, but it is too early to know for sure.
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How Should Ibuprofen Be Used
The suggested adult dose of ibuprofen for prostatitis is 200 or 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours . Do not exceed 3200 mg total each day.
When patients are taking 3200 mg per day, doctors should monitor benefits versus potential risk factors.
The dose should be customized for each patient. The dose should be lowered or raised depending on symptoms and how well a patient responds.
Unless under a doctors care, patients should not take ibuprofen for more than 10 days in a row to relieve pain or more than 3 days to relieve fever.
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