Anxiolytic agents for prostatitis

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
clonazepam	Klonopin
diazepam	Valium
lorazepam	Ativan

How It Works

Anxiolytic medications reduce anxiety and may help relax muscles.

Why It Is Used

These medications are prescribed for men with prostatitis to:

• Relax tense pelvic floor muscles associated with chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, noninflammatory.
• Relieve anxiety associated with noninflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

How Well It Works

These medications can reduce or manage anxiety caused by long-term symptoms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

These medications can help relax tense pelvic muscles.

Side Effects

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

This medications may be used in combination with alpha-blockers, which relax the muscles in the prostate.

These medications do not cure problems with anxiety that may have contributed to prostatitis. Curing an underlying problem with anxiety may require counseling with a psychiatrist or psychologist.

This class of medications can be habit-forming. Long-term use of these medications to treat a chronic health problem is not usually recommended.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Ralph Poore	Last Updated January 20, 2006
Medical Review:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
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