Controlled study of cimetidine in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy

A series of 60 patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) was randomly divided into 2 groups; 30 received cimetidine 1 g/day for 4 weeks and 30 received vitamin C 1 g/day for the same period. The study was double-blind. No significant difference between the 2 groups was observed in mean urinary flow, subjective obstructive or irritative symptoms, or prostate size. There was a statistically significant difference in the peak urinary flow rate but this was a result of net deterioration in the control group. Cimetidine was found to be no more active than vitamin C in treating benign prostatic hypertrophy.