A twelve-week placebo-controlled study of prazosin in the treatment of prostatic obstruction.

Abstract

Fifty-eight normotensive patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia and maximum urinary flow rates of less than 15 ml/s were randomly assigned to receive a 12-week course of treatment with prazosin or placebo in a double-blind parallel group trial. Prazosin was administered orally in doses of 0.5 mg and then 1 mg twice daily for 4 days each and 2 mg twice daily for the remainder of the trial. Patients on treatment with prazosin had an increased urinary flow rate as compared to placebo with a significant reduction in maximum voiding detrusor pressure and maximum detrusor pressure at peak urinary flow. Although a significant effect on frequency was not demonstrated, standard parameters of detrusor instability were reduced. Investigators' double-blind overall assessment of efficacy significantly favoured the prazosin treatment. Twelve patients were excluded from the final analysis, 8 being withdrawn because of adverse effects, 5 on treatment with prazosin and 3 in the placebo group. Oral prazosin appears to be safe and effective in the long-term treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

• Authors: C R Chapple, T J Christmas, E J Milroy
• Journal: Urologia internationalis (Urol Int) Vol. 45 Suppl 1 Pg. 47-55 ( 1990) ISSN: 0042-1138 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 1690482 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Prazosin

Topics

• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Double-Blind Method
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prazosin (therapeutic use)
• Prostatic Hyperplasia (complications, drug therapy)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
• Time Factors
• Urethral Obstruction (drug therapy, etiology)
• Urodynamics (drug effects)