title: Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized international study of 1,098 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Controversy regarding the relative efficacy of treatments for the relief of the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a 6-month double-blind randomized equivalence study that compared the effects of a plant extract (320 mg Permixon) with those of a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor (5 mg finasteride) in 1,098 men with moderate BPH using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) as the primary end-point.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both Permixon and finasteride decreased the IPSS (-37% and -39%, respectively), improved quality of life (by 38 and 41%), and increased peak urinary flow rate (+25% and +30%, P = 0.035), with no statistical difference in the percent of responders with a 3 ml/sec improvement. Finasteride markedly decreased prostate volume (-18%) and serum PSA levels (-41%); Permixon improved symptoms with little effect on volume (-6%) and no change in PSA levels. Permixon fared better than finasteride in a sexual function questionnaire and gave rise to less complaints of decreased libido and impotence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both treatments relieve the symptoms of BPH in about two-thirds of patients but, unlike finasteride, Permixon has little effect on so-called androgen-dependent parameters. This suggests that other pathways might also be involved in the symptomatology of BPH.
authors.affiliation: Pierre Fabre Médicament, La Chartreuse, Castres, France.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Carraro
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Raynaud
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Chisholm
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Di Silverio
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Teillac
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cauquil
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Chopin
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Hamdy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanus
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hauri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalinteris
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marencak
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perrin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018120:Finasteride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D028024:Serenoa; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018120:Finasteride; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase; C040972:saw palmetto extract