The Efficacy of Alpha-blockers for Expulsion of Distal Ureteral Stones

Most of the patients suffering from renal colic have a distal ureterolithiasis. It had been demonstrated that α adrenoreceptors antagonists, given to patients suffering from renal colic, due to distal ureterolithiasis, had increased the frequency of stone expulsion rate , reduced the time to expulsion and reduced analgesics consumption.Most of the studies evaluated the efficacy of Tamsulosin, which is a selective α 1A and α 1D adrenoreceptors antagonist.(The lower intramural portion of the ureter, where it passes through the detrusor muscle contains mostly α 1D and α 1A adrenergic receptors)

Only one study these days describes the use of Alfuzosin, which is an α adrenergic receptor blocker and not selective for any α 1 adrenergic receptor, for expulsion of distal ureteric stones.Alfuzosin is a drug with a proven efficacy and considered uroselective with high specificity and sensitivity, for the treatment of BPH. There was no significant difference in efficacy between the two α blockers (Alfuzosin vs. Tamsulosin) concerning symptoms relief or flow improvement.

The objective of this study is to compare patient who would receive the standard treatment for distal ureterolithiasis (analgesics, Rowatinex) to patients who would receive also a non selective α blocker (Alfuzosin) or a selective α blocker (Tamsulosin). This in order to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with α blockers for expulsion of distal ureterolithiasis.