Effect of terazosin on the lipid profile in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia

To determine the changes in plasma lipid levels in symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients receiving terazosin treatment.

The study included 99 patients with BPH aged 44-74 years. The patients were divided into 3 groups: in group 1 (n = 25) with baseline total cholesterol levels of >220 mg/dl, terazosin 5 mg/day was used; in group 2 (n = 56) with basal total cholesterol levels of < 220 mg/dl, terazosin 5 mg/day was used, and group 3 (n = 18) did not use terazosin and was defined as the control group. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and triglyceride were recorded, and the high-density lipoprotein to total cholesterol ratio was calculated at the beginning of the study and after 12 weeks.

The total cholesterol level decreased from the baseline level by 10.88% after 12 weeks (p < 0.05) in group 1. The decrease was observed in 22 of 25 patients (88%). In group 1, the mean plasma total cholesterol level decreased significantly (p < 0.05), but the decrease was not significant in group 2 and no change was observed in group 3. The mean plasma low-density lipoprotein level decreased significantly in group 1 (p < 0.05), but no change was observed in the other 2 groups. The mean plasma high-density lipoprotein level increased in group 1, whereas no change was observed in the other 2 groups. The mean plasma triglyceride level decreased significantly in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.05), but no change was observed in group 3. The high-density lipoprotein to total cholesterol ratio increased significantly in group 1, but no change was observed in the other 2 groups.

We suggest that terazosin may be a reasonable choice because of the beneficial effect on the lipid profile in older symptomatic BPH patients with a higher ratio of dyslipidemia.