Which medication is known to cause a reduction in prostate size?

Finasteride is a medication that specifically reduces prostate size by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase. This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more potent androgen that promotes prostate growth. By lowering the levels of DHT, finasteride effectively reduces the size of the prostate, which can alleviate symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as urinary obstruction. This mechanism of action makes finasteride particularly beneficial for patients who have an enlarged prostate and are looking for both symptom relief and a reduction in prostate volume.

Dutasteride, while also a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor and effective in reducing prostate size, is not the only drug known for this action. Tamsulosin and Alfuzosin belong to a class of medications called alpha-1 blockers, which primarily provide symptomatic relief by relaxing the smooth muscles in the prostate and bladder neck but do not have a direct effect on prostate size. Thus, while effective for managing urinary symptoms, they do not contribute to a reduction in the prostate volume in the same way that finasteride does.