Use of terazosin in the medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: experience in Italy

Abstract

The purpose of this multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to verify the safety and efficacy of terazosin, an alpha 1 adrenergic blocker, in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This study involved 137 patients who were randomly assigned to receive either a designed dose of terazosin (2, 5 or 10 mg) or placebo. Response to treatment was measured objectively by uroflowmetric determinations. Subjective evaluation was based on the investigator's assessment of each patient's symptoms. The safety of this agent was monitored by haematological tests and urinalysis. In addition, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rates were recorded during each visit. The treatment of BPH with terazosin produced a significant improvement in mean flow rate and peak flow rate; there were no statistically significant differences in the analysis of symptomatic responses between the groups of patients treated with terazosin or placebo. Moreover, the safety of this alpha 1 blocker was thoroughly tested and clinically proven.