Contemporary medical treatment of benigh prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) includes α 1-aderneoreceptor blocker (such as terazosin) and 5 α-reductase inhibitor (finasteride). Additive or synergistic effect may be demonstrated if these two drugs are administered in combination. Seventy-eight patilents with BPH were enrolled in this study to evaluate the effects of these 2medications. Each patient received terazosin (2 mg/day) for one month, then received combined therapy of terazosin (2 mg/day) and finasteride (5 mg./day) for 12 months. Peak urinary flow rate, symptom score and prostatic volume were determined at base line and during each period for comparison. Peak flow rate increased significantly from base line to terazosin alone period (12.2±4.6 ml/sec. vs 13.8±3.3 ml/sec. p<0.05), as well as combined period (11.4-14.8%), but no significant difference shown between terazosin alone and combined therapy. Symptom score decreased significantly during terazosin alone and combined periods. Similarly, no significant difference was found between terazosin alone and combined periods. Prostate volume revealed no significant reduction during the terazosin alone period, but reduced significantly at month 4 and month 7 of combined therapy (26.2±6.3 cm3 vs 23.4±5.8 cm3,26.2±6.3 cm3 vs 22.0±4.7 cm3, p<0.01), and then returned gradually. PSA showed no change n terazosin period but decreased significantly throughout the combined period (from 27.1% to 38.0%, p<0.01). Adverse side effects such as dizziness (9.0%), nasal obstraction (5.1%) and impotence (2.0%) were found primarily during terazosin alone treatment, while impotence (16.3%), loss of libido (4.1%) and retrograde ejaculation (6.1%) were noted mostly during com-bined therapy. In conclusion, terazosin alone was effective for treatment with BPH. Combined therapy of terazosin and finasteride, though may reduce prostatic volume significantly, showed no additive effect compared with terazosin alone, evaluated either objectively (peak flow rate) or subjectively (symptom score). (J Urol R. O.C., 9:12-17,1998)
Contemporary medical treatment of benigh prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) includes α 1-aderneoreceptor blocker (such as terazosin) and 5 α-reductase inhibitor (finasteride). Additive or synergistic effect may be demonstrated if these two drugs are administered in combination. Seventy-eight patilents with BPH were enrolled in this study to evaluate the effects of these 2medications. Each patient received terazosin (2 mg/day) for one month, then received combined therapy of terazosin (2 mg/day) and finasteride (5 mg./day) for 12 months. Peak urinary flow rate, symptom score and prostatic volume were determined at base line and during each period for comparison. Peak flow rate increased significantly from base line to terazosin alone period (12.2±4.6 ml/sec. vs 13.8±3.3 ml/sec. p<0.05), as well as combined period (11.4-14.8%), but no significant difference shown between terazosin alone and combined therapy. Symptom score decreased significantly during terazosin alone and combined periods. Similarly, no significant difference was found between terazosin alone and combined periods. Prostate volume revealed no significant reduction during the terazosin alone period, but reduced significantly at month 4 and month 7 of combined therapy (26.2±6.3 cm3 vs 23.4±5.8 cm3,26.2±6.3 cm3 vs 22.0±4.7 cm3, p<0.01), and then returned gradually. PSA showed no change n terazosin period but decreased significantly throughout the combined period (from 27.1% to 38.0%, p<0.01). Adverse side effects such as dizziness (9.0%), nasal obstraction (5.1%) and impotence (2.0%) were found primarily during terazosin alone treatment, while impotence (16.3%), loss of libido (4.1%) and retrograde ejaculation (6.1%) were noted mostly during com-bined therapy. In conclusion, terazosin alone was effective for treatment with BPH. Combined therapy of terazosin and finasteride, though may reduce prostatic volume significantly, showed no additive effect compared with terazosin alone, evaluated either objectively (peak flow rate) or subjectively (symptom score). (J Urol R. O.C., 9:12-17,1998)