Finasteride to prevent morbidity from benign prostatic hyperplasia

Article Abstract:

Finasteride can reduce the symptoms of prostatic hyperplasia and the need for prostate surgery, but it may not be the best choice for many men. In a study of men with large prostate glands and significant urinary difficulty, finasteride reduced the rates of surgery and acute inability to urinate by over 50%. For many men, however, other drugs or simple lifestyle changes can improve urinary symptoms, and surgical resection of the prostate can provide definitive treatment for men in whom it is indicated. Prescribing finasteride widely may not be the optimal approach to prostate enlargement.

Finasteride

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The efficacy of terazosin, finasteride, or both in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Article Abstract:

Finasteride does not appear to be effective in the treatment of enlarged prostate. Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of finasteride and terazosin in 1,229 men with enlarged prostate who were randomly assigned to take finasteride, terazosin, both drugs or a placebo. Terazosin and the combination of terazosin and finasteride significantly reduced symptoms but finasteride alone was no more effective than the placebo. Terazosin belongs to a class of drugs that relax the smooth muscle of the prostate while finasteride is a drug that lowers blood levels of male hormones.

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Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Article Abstract:

Conflicting results from clinical trials of finasteride may occur because benign prostatic hyperplasia is two different disorders. A 1996 Veterans Affairs study comparing finasteride with terazosin found that finasteride was no more effective than placebo. However, the researchers did not limit the study to only those men who had enlarged prostates. Finasteride has been shown effective in other trials that limited the treatment to men with enlarged prostates. Men who do not have enlarged prostates may benefit more from terazosin.

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