Discontinuation of alpha-blockade after initial treatment with finasteride and doxazosin in men with lower urinary tract symptoms and clinical evidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To determine the effect of discontinuation of alpha-blockade and continuation of finasteride in men with lower urinary tract symptoms and enlarged prostates receiving combination treatment and to determine whether the alpha-blocker dose influences the ability to discontinue it.

METHODS:

We treated 272 consecutive men with a prostate size greater than 40 g and American Urological Association symptom score greater than 20 with 5 mg finasteride and 2 mg doxazosin daily. Two hundred forty men reported a favorable response to therapy, defined as any reduction in symptom score and toleration of the medications. The dose was maintained at 2 mg doxazosin in 100 men and was titrated to 4 mg doxazosin in 80 patients and to 8 mg doxazosin in an additional 60 patients. We discontinued doxazosin at 3, 6, 9, or 12 months, while continuing finasteride, and then re-evaluated the patients 1 month later to determine whether any worsening of symptoms had resulted.

RESULTS:

In patients discontinuing doxazosin at 3 months, success (defined as no increase in symptom score and no desire to resume doxazosin) was reported by 20%, 15%, and 13% of those taking 2, 4, and 8 mg, respectively. In patients discontinuing doxazosin at 6 months, success was reported by 48%, 45%, and 40% of those taking 2, 4, and 8 mg, respectively. In patients discontinuing doxazosin at 9 months, success was reported by 84%, 80%, and 73% of those taking 2, 4, and 8 mg, respectively. In patients discontinuing doxazosin at 12 months, success was reported by 84%, 85%, and 87% of those taking 2, 4, and 8 mg, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and moderately enlarged prostates initially receiving combination therapy using finasteride and an alpha-blocker are likely to experience no significant symptom deterioration after discontinuing the alpha-blocker after 9 to 12 months of combination therapy regardless of the dose of alpha-blocker chosen.

• Authors: K C Baldwin, P C Ginsberg, C G Roehrborn, R C Harkaway
• Journal: Urology (Urology) Vol. 58 Issue 2 Pg. 203-9 (Aug 2001) ISSN: 1527-9995 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 11489700 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists
• Finasteride
• Doxazosin

Topics

• Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists (administration & dosage)
• Aged
• Doxazosin (administration & dosage)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Finasteride (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Male
• Prostatic Hyperplasia (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome