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. 2008 Feb;2(1):16-21.
doi: 10.5489/cuaj.520.

Finasteride monotherapy maintains stable lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia following cessation of alpha blockers

J Curtis Nickel  1 , Jack Barkin, Caroline Koch, Charles Dupont, Mostafa Elhilali
Affiliations

Finasteride monotherapy maintains stable lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia following cessation of alpha blockers

J Curtis Nickel et al. Can Urol Assoc J. 2008 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: Our Canadian multicentre open-label study sought to evaluate, in patients with moderate/severe lower urinary symptoms (LUTS) secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia, the effect on symptoms of 9 months of monotherapy with finasteride 5 mg following 9 months of combination treatment (finasteride with an alpha-blocker) as quantified according to the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).

Methods: The primary outcome measure for efficacy was the maintenance of IPSS response after cessation of the alpha-blocker. Subjects were treated with a combination of finasteride and an alpha-blocker for 9 months and then with finasteride alone for 3 or 9 months.

Results: Results showed that the IPSS scores after 3 months of monotherapy were within the criteria for equivalence to those after 9 months of combination therapy. Symptom control equivalence was also found after 9 months of monotherapy. The IPSS response rate was also similar for combination and monotherapy. The safety profile was similar and as expected with these medications.

Conclusion: Control of LUTS associated with BPH thus appears to be maintained for at least 9 months with finasteride alone, following a 9-month course of combination therapy with finasteride and an alpha-blocker, with similar safety profiles.

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