Genitourinary system

Genitourinary diseases (or urogenital diseases) are those of the tissues or organs of the urinary (kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra) and reproductive tracts. They include reproductive and urinary tract infections, congenital abnormalities, cancers of the urological and reproductive systems, and sexual dysfunction.

This module focuses on the classes of drugs that are used to resolve or improve the symptoms of genitourinary diseases.

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Alpha-blockers for prostate gland enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia)

Alpha-blockers for prostate gland enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)

Alfuzosin, doxazosin, indoramin, prazosin, tamsulosin and terazosin

5α-reductase inhibitors for prostate gland enlargement

5α-reductase inhibitors for prostate gland enlargement

Dutasteride and finasteride inhibit conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitors and prostaglandins

Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors for erectile dysfunction

Avanafil, sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil

Prostaglandins for erectile dysfunction

Alprostadil (prostaglandin E₁, PGE₁)

Drugs for premature ejaculation

Dapoxetine

Antimuscarinic drugs for urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence

Antimuscarinic drugs for urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence (overactive bladder syndrome)

Darifenacin, fesoterodine (antimuscarinic prodrug), flavoxate (also used for bladder spasms due to catheterisation, cytoscopy, or surgery, hyoscine (scopolamine) butylbromide for symptomatic relief of gastro-intestinal or genito-urinary disorders characterised by smooth muscle spasm, oxybutynin for urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence, neurogenic bladder instability, and nocturnal enuresis associated with overactive bladder, propantheline for adult enuresis, propiverine for urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence associated with overactive bladder or neurogenic bladder instability, solifenacin and trospium.

Other urinary symptom drugs

Duloxetine for moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence in women (SSNRI)

Mirabegron for urinary symptoms (beta agonist)

Anti-infectives in genito-urinary medicine

Antifungals for thrush (vaginal): clotrimazole, econazole, fenticonazole, metronidazole and miconazole

Antibiotic drugs are the basis of urinary tract infection treatment. Antibiotic treatment involves determining the type of bacteria present and choosing the appropriate drug.

Antibacterials for urine infections include nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, ofloxacin and norfloxacin (for complicated urinary tract infections).

Other GU tract drugs:

Sodium citrate for cystitis relief

Clindamycin for bacterial vaginosis

Podophyllotoxin (cytotoxin) for anogenital warts