Serenoa repens was not more effective than placebo for treatment of urinary symptoms consistent with BPH
BACKGROUND Benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ) , a nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate , can lead to obstructive and irritative lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) .
The pharmacologic use of plants and herbs ( phytotherapy ) for the treatment of LUTS associated with BPH is common .
The extract of the berry of the American saw palmetto , or dwarf palm plant , Serenoa repens ( also known by its botanical name of Sabal serrulatum ) , is one of several phytotherapeutic agents available for the treatment of BPH .
OBJECTIVES This systematic review aim ed to assess the effects of Serenoa repens in the treatment of LUTS consistent with BPH .
The long-term effect of doxazosin, finasteride, and combination therapy on the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
BACKGROUND Benign prostatic hyperplasia is commonly treated with alpha-adrenergic-receptor antagonists ( alpha-blockers ) or 5alpha-reductase inhibitors . The long-term effect of these drugs , singly or combined , on the risk of clinical progression is unknown . METHODS We conducted a long-term , double-blind trial ( mean follow-up , 4.5 years ) involving 3047 men to compare the effects of placebo , doxazosin , finasteride , and combination therapy on measures of the clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia . RESULTS The risk of overall clinical progression -- defined as an increase above base line of at least 4 points in the American Urological Association symptom score , acute urinary retention , urinary incontinence , renal insufficiency , or recurrent urinary tract infection -- was significantly reduced by doxazosin ( 39 percent risk reduction , P<0.001 ) and finasteride ( 34 percent risk reduction , P=0.002 ) , as compared with placebo . The reduction in risk associated with combination therapy ( 66 percent for the comparison with placebo , P<0.001 ) was significantly greater than that associated with doxazosin ( P<0.001 ) or finasteride ( P<0.001 ) alone . The risks of acute urinary retention and the need for invasive therapy were significantly reduced by combination therapy ( P<0.001 ) and finasteride ( P<0.001 ) but not by doxazosin . Doxazosin ( P<0.001 ) , finasteride ( P=0.001 ) , and combination therapy ( P<0.001 ) each result ed in significant improvement in symptom scores , with combination therapy being superior to both doxazosin ( P=0.006 ) and finasteride ( P<0.001 ) alone . CONCLUSIONS Long-term combination therapy with doxazosin and finasteride was safe and reduced the risk of overall clinical progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia significantly more than did treatment with either drug alone . Combination therapy and finasteride alone reduced the long-term risk of acute urinary retention and the need for invasive therapy
Serenoa repens was not more effective than placebo for treatment of urinary symptoms consistent with BPH
BACKGROUND Benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ) , a nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate , can lead to obstructive and irritative lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) .
The pharmacologic use of plants and herbs ( phytotherapy ) for the treatment of LUTS associated with BPH is common .
The extract of the berry of the American saw palmetto , or dwarf palm plant , Serenoa repens ( also known by its botanical name of Sabal serrulatum ) , is one of several phytotherapeutic agents available for the treatment of BPH .
OBJECTIVES This systematic review aim ed to assess the effects of Serenoa repens in the treatment of LUTS consistent with BPH .