Combined medical treatment using dutasteride and tamsulosin for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
BACKGROUND
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the fourth most commonly diagnosed medical condition in the elderly. Selective α-blockers (tamsulosin) and dual 5α-reductase inhibitors (dutasteride) have an important role in the medical treatment of symptomatic BPH. Safety and efficacy of combination therapy with dutasteride and tamsulosin as well as long-term benefit on prevention of disease progression have been widely studied in recent trials.


METHODS
The present article summarizes the pharmacologic properties of both dutasteride and tamsulosin. Clinical efficacy of combination therapy in different trials has also been reported. Major randomized trials on this concept published between 2000 and 2010 have been covered in this article.


RESULTS
Long-term efficacy and safety of combination therapy and its beneficial effect on quality of life and risk reduction of need for BPH-related surgeries have been discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination therapy with dutasteride and tamsulosin is a highly efficacious medical treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement, which could be safely tolerated and administrated for ≥ 4 years.
Djavan
Bob
B
New York University, Department of Urology, NY, USA. bdjavan@hotmail.com
Handl
Markus Johannes
MJ
Dianat
Saeid
S
D000818:Animals; D001378:Azasteroids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068538:Dutasteride; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D001378:Azasteroids; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D000068538:Dutasteride