This combination seems to be more efficacious in terms of several outcome variables in patients whose prostate volume is between 30 ml and 40 ml when treatment is maintained for > 1 yr ; when given for < 1 yr , α1-blockers alone are just as effective .
The combination of α1-blocker/5-ARI shows a slightly increased rate of adverse events .
It remains unknown whether its safety and superiority over either drug as monotherapy are sustained after > 6 yr .
The α1-blocker/muscarinic receptor antagonist ( antimuscarinic ) combination was most frequently assessed as an add-on therapy to already existing α1-blocker therapy .
Inconsistent data derive from heterogeneous study population s and different study design s. Currently , the α1-blocker/antimuscarinic combination appears to be a second-line add-on for patients with insufficient symptom relief after monotherapy .
The combination seems to be safe in men with postvoid residual < 200 ml .
The α1-blocker/phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor combination is a new treatment option with only preliminary reports .
CONCLUSIONS An α1-blocker/5-ARI combination is beneficial for patients whose prostate volume is between 30 ml and 40 ml when medical treatment is intended for > 1 yr .
Based on short-term follow-up studies , add-on of antimuscarinics to α1-blockers is an option when postvoid residual is < 200 ml
BACKGROUND Several drugs are approved for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) in men , but these are mostly used by clinicians as monotherapies .
The combination of different compounds , each of which targets a different aspect of LUTS , seems appealing .
However , only few clinical trials have evaluated the effects of combination therapies .
OBJECTIVE This systematic review analyzes the efficacy and adverse events of combination therapies for male LUTS .
The effects of dutasteride, tamsulosin and combination therapy on lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic enlargement: 2-year results from the CombAT study.
PURPOSE We investigated whether combination therapy with dutasteride and tamsulosin is more effective than either monotherapy alone for improving symptoms and long-term outcomes in men with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms and prostatic enlargement ( 30 cc or greater ) . We report preplanned 2-year analyses . MATERIAL S AND METHODS The CombAT study is an ongoing , multicenter , r and omized , double-blind , parallel group study . Men 50 years or older with a clinical diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia , International Prostate Symptom Score 12 points or greater , prostate volume 30 cc or greater , total serum prostate specific antigen 1.5 ng/ml or greater to 10 ng/ml or less and peak urinary flow greater than 5 to 15 ml per second or less with a minimum voided volume of 125 ml or greater were r and omized to 0.5 mg dutasteride , 0.4 mg tamsulosin or the combination once daily for 4 years . Symptoms were assessed every 3 months and peak urinary flow was assessed every 6 months . The primary end point at 2 years was the change in International Prostate Symptom Score from baseline . RESULTS Combination therapy result ed in significantly greater improvements in symptoms vs dutasteride from month 3 and tamsulosin from month 9 , and in benign prostatic hyperplasia related health status from months 3 and 12 , respectively . There was a significantly greater improvement from baseline in peak urinary flow for combination therapy vs dutasteride and tamsulosin monotherapies from month 6 . There was a significant increase in drug related adverse events with combination therapy vs monotherapies , although most did not result in the cessation of therapy . CONCLUSIONS In men with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms and prostate enlargement ( 30 cc or greater ) combination therapy provides a significantly greater degree of benefit than tamsulosin or dutasteride monotherapy
This combination seems to be more efficacious in terms of several outcome variables in patients whose prostate volume is between 30 ml and 40 ml when treatment is maintained for > 1 yr ; when given for < 1 yr , α1-blockers alone are just as effective .
The combination of α1-blocker/5-ARI shows a slightly increased rate of adverse events .
It remains unknown whether its safety and superiority over either drug as monotherapy are sustained after > 6 yr .
The α1-blocker/muscarinic receptor antagonist ( antimuscarinic ) combination was most frequently assessed as an add-on therapy to already existing α1-blocker therapy .
Inconsistent data derive from heterogeneous study population s and different study design s. Currently , the α1-blocker/antimuscarinic combination appears to be a second-line add-on for patients with insufficient symptom relief after monotherapy .
The combination seems to be safe in men with postvoid residual < 200 ml .
The α1-blocker/phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor combination is a new treatment option with only preliminary reports .
CONCLUSIONS An α1-blocker/5-ARI combination is beneficial for patients whose prostate volume is between 30 ml and 40 ml when medical treatment is intended for > 1 yr .
Based on short-term follow-up studies , add-on of antimuscarinics to α1-blockers is an option when postvoid residual is < 200 ml
BACKGROUND Several drugs are approved for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) in men , but these are mostly used by clinicians as monotherapies .
The combination of different compounds , each of which targets a different aspect of LUTS , seems appealing .
However , only few clinical trials have evaluated the effects of combination therapies .
OBJECTIVE This systematic review analyzes the efficacy and adverse events of combination therapies for male LUTS .