Objective: To compare the effects of the doxazosin and terazosin on total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) in treating patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and compare this effectivity by switching the drugs in the patients who did not benefit from either the first or the second drug. Methods: This is a prospective randomized study of the patients with LUTS suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Fifty male patients (mean age 59.4 ± 7.6 years) received either doxazosin (n = 25) or terazosin (n = 25) once daily every night. The patients were evaluated in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd months of treatment. Minimum 20% improvement in IPSS and Qmax in the 3rd month was considered as improvement. The patients with no improvement in any of the parameters switched the drugs, and they were followed up in the next 3 months. The patients whose only one parameter improved were excluded from the study. Results: Eleven (44%) out of 25 patients using doxazosin and 10 (40%) out of 25 patients using terazosin showed improvement in both IPSS and Qmax at the end of the 3rd month and continued using the drug. After 3 months of treatment, increase in Qmax (p < 0.001) and decrease in IPSS (p < 0.01) was significant for both doxazosin and terazosin. Nineteen patients, who did not show improvement in any of the parameters, switched the drug. Of the patients who switched the drug, 2 (4%) showed improvement both in IPSS and in Qmax, while 2 (4%) showed improvement only in IPSS but not in Qmax. The remaining 15 (30%) patients did not show improvement in any of the parameters. Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that α-blockade with either doxazosin or terazosin is effective in males with LUTS. The two α-blocking drugs showed equal effectiveness in the treatment of LUTS. If one of the drugs is ineffective in the treatment of LUTS, then the other drug will probably be ineffective.

Keywords:
Terazosin, Doxazosin, Benign prostatic hyperplasia, Drug switch
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
2004
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.