ALPHA-BLOCKER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does alpha-blocker mean? 

• ALPHA-BLOCKER (noun)
  The noun ALPHA-BLOCKER has 1 sense:

1. any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder

  Familiarity information: ALPHA-BLOCKER used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ALPHA-BLOCKER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

alpha-adrenergic blocker; alpha-adrenergic blocking agent; alpha-blocker; alpha blocker

Hypernyms ("alpha-blocker" is a kind of...):

blocker; blocking agent (a class of drugs that inhibit (block) some biological process)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "alpha-blocker"):

Minipress; prazosin (antihypertensive drug (trade name Minipress))

Hytrin; terazosin (antihypertensive drug (trade name Hytrin) used to treat high blood pressure)

 Context examples 

Alpha-blockers are used to treat the symptoms of many conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), high blood pressure, and some blood circulation problems.

(Alpha-blocker, NCI Dictionary)

Also called alpha-blocker.

(Alpha-adrenergic antagonist, NCI Dictionary)