Finasteride in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A urodynamic evaluation.
A group of 69 men with bladder outflow obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were treated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with finasteride (Proscar, MK-906), a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, 5 mg or 10 mg/day or placebo for 3 months; subsequently, 20 patients received finasteride 5 mg/day for a further 9 months in an open extension study. In treated patients dihydrotestosterone declined by over 60%, remaining unchanged with placebo. Symptom scores fell significantly in all 3 groups. Mean maximum flow rates fell slightly in placebo-treated patients but improved by 1.5 ml/s in the 10 mg group and by 3.3 ml/s in the 5 mg group. After 1 year's treatment, the reduction in symptom score and increase in flow rate were well maintained; the mean prostate volume was reduced by 14% and prostatic specific antigen declined by 28%. It was concluded that finasteride shows some efficacy in the treatment of BPH, with minimal toxicity, but 12 months of therapy or longer may be necessary to achieve maximal effect.
Kirby
R S
RS
Department of Urology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
Bryan
J
J
Eardley
I
I
Christmas
T J
TJ
Liu
S
S
Holmes
S A
SA
Vale
J A
JA
Shanmuganathan
K
K
Webb
J A
JA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000736:Androstenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001378:Azasteroids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D018120:Finasteride; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology; D014554:Urination / Q000502:physiology; D014563:Urodynamics
D000736:Androstenes; D001378:Azasteroids; D013739:Testosterone; D018120:Finasteride