Postural hypotension is a potential side effect of which medication?

Postural hypotension, also known as orthostatic hypotension, specifically refers to a drop in blood pressure that occurs when a person stands up from a sitting or lying position. This can lead to dizziness or lightheadedness, particularly in older adults or individuals taking certain medications.

Tamsulosin is an alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist primarily used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck. The mechanism of action for Tamsulosin leads to a decrease in vascular resistance, which can result in postural hypotension as the body struggles to adjust blood flow when changing positions. This blood pressure drop occurs because the medication affects the vasoconstriction properties that are necessary to maintain sufficient blood pressure during postural changes.

Other medications listed may have different effects or not lead to significant changes in blood pressure upon standing. For instance, Levodopa is more commonly associated with drowsiness and dyskinesia, while ferrous supplements generally do not have a direct effect on blood pressure. Lefopramide primarily acts as an anti-diarrheal, which also does not commonly induce postural hypotension. Hence, understanding the specific pharmacological effects of Tamsulosin clar