phenoxybenzamine

Use

Phenoxybenzamine, a long-acting alpha-adrenoreceptor antagonist, was introduced in 1953 and has been used in a variety of peripheral vascular disorders. In 1982 it was shown to have mutagenic activity and in 1985 it was found to be carcinogenic in the rat. Its approved use was subsequently restricted by several regulatory authorities and phenoxybenzamine is currently used to manage hypertensive episodes associated with phaeochromocytoma, as an adjunct to the short-term management of urinary retention due to neurogenic bladder, in the short-term treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy in patients awaiting surgery, and in inoperable benign prostatic hypertrophy.