The effect of prazosin on patients with symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of prazosin on the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy for patients of general practitioners.


METHODS
Eighty-two general practitioner patients from 317 who were identified as being eligible for inclusion in the trial. They were randomly allocated to receive either prazosin or placebo for the first 3 month arm then crossed-over for the second 3 months.


RESULTS
Seventy-six patients completed the trial. An analogue scale of patient rating of symptoms showed a statistically significant decrease in symptoms for patients taking prazosin when compared with patients taking placebo, regardless of the order in which they had been administered. A total symptom score and an obstructive symptom score for benign prostatic hypertrophy showed a statistically significant difference between the two treatments at 4 weeks. A difference was still apparent at 8 and 12 weeks but it was not statistically significant. No difference was detected for irritative symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Prazosin may have a limited place in the management of benign prostatic hypertrophy.
Steven
I D
ID
Research and Health Promotion Unit, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Coffey
G A
GA
Graham
N M
NM
Wlodarczyk
J
J
Curtis
P
P
D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011224:Prazosin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011224:Prazosin