The comparison and efficacy of 3 different alpha1-adrenergic blockers for distal ureteral stones

alpha1-Adrenergic blockers have recently been shown to increase the rate of spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones. We compared efficacy of 3 different alpha1-adrenergic blockers for this purpose.

A total of 114 patients between 18 and 65 years old who had lower ureteral stones were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group 1 consisted of 28 patients and acted as the control group. Group 2 comprised 29 patients who received tamsulosin, group 3 was 28 patients receiving terazosin and group 4 was 29 patients receiving doxazosin. These agents were given for up to a month and hydration was also recommended simultaneously. Every week patients were controlled with x-rays of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urinary ultrasonography. Meanwhile the number of pain episodes, analgesic dosage and the number of days for spontaneous passage of the calculi through the ureter were also recorded.

There were no differences between the groups with respect to age, weight, height, sex and stone size. The calculi passed through the ureter spontaneously in 15 patients in group 1 (53.57%), in 23 patients in group 2 (79.31%), in 22 patients in group 3 (78.57%), and in 22 patients in group 4 (75.86%). In groups 2 to 4 the number of pain episodes, expulsion time and analgesic dosage were found to be lower compared with those in group 1.

alpha1-Adrenergic blockers increase the frequency of spontaneous passage of the distal ureteral calculi. All 3 agents tested were equally efficacious.