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[Current drug therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia]
C P Schmidbauer1, S Madersbacher
1Universitätsklinik für Urologie, Wien.
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects many elderly men, with alpha-blockers and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors offering effective pharmacotherapy for mild to moderate symptoms. These medications improve urinary flow and symptoms, providing alternatives to surgery.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) significantly impacts elderly men's quality of life.
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is effective but carries morbidity and isn't suitable for all patients.
Purpose:
- To review current pharmacotherapies for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
- To compare the efficacy and side effect profiles of alpha-blocking agents and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors.
Summary:
- Alpha-blocking agents provide rapid symptom relief by inhibiting alpha-adrenoreceptors, with selective alpha-1 blockers having fewer side effects.
- 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors reduce prostate size and improve symptoms over 4-6 weeks with minimal adverse effects.
- Both drug classes require continuous administration; synergistic effects have not been demonstrated. Herbal remedies lack proven efficacy.
Impact:
- Pharmacotherapy with alpha-1-adrenoreceptor antagonists and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors offers viable management options for mild to moderate BPH.
- These treatments allow patients to delay or avoid surgery, improving symptom management and daily life.
- Urological diagnosis and prostate cancer exclusion are mandatory before initiating therapy.