Although this study did not consider placebo effect and has high IPSS baseline scores , this study clarifies that low-dose tamsulosin has generally positive effect and safety in treatment of LUTS and could be a suitable option as an initial treatment , especially for patients with low body mass index , as is typical of Asian people
PURPOSE In Asian countries , low-dose tamsulosin ( 0.2 mg ) is used widely but this dose has been less popular than 0.4 mg tamsulosin or other types of alpha blockers .
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose tamsulosin by systematic review and meta- analysis .
Long-term efficacy and safety of tamsulosin hydrochloride for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: data from China.
BACKGROUND Tamsulosin hydrochloride can significantly improve benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ) symptoms after the first dose and achieve long-term efficacy in European and American population s ; however , the corresponding studies from China are rarely seen . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of tamsulosin hydrochloride 0.2 mg once daily in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) suggestive of BPH in China . METHODS Chinese patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH were enrolled in a 4-week placebo run-in period and subsequent 60-week open-label study . Tamsulosin hydrochloride 0.2 mg was administered daily during the period of the study . The efficacy and safety parameters were evaluated at the end of treatment period I ( 0 - 12 weeks ) and period II ( 13 - 60 weeks ) . The BPH patients were divided into tamsulosin monotherapy group and combination therapy group which received concomitant medication of finasteride 5 mg once daily after the evaluation at the end of treatment period I. RESULTS A total of 113 patients were recruited to the study . Eighty-two patients received tamsulosin monotherapy and twenty-nine received combination therapy during the treatment period II . Tamsulosin hydrochloride produced a great improvement in mean maximum urinary flow rate ( Q(max ) ) ( 1.7 ml/s , 3 ml/s ) and a significant decrease in mean international prostate symptom score ( IPSS ) ( 4.1 , 6.4 ) after 12-week and 60-week treatments , respectively . At the end of treatment period II , there were significant improvement in IPSS , quality of life ( QOL ) score , Q(max ) and average flow rate ( Q(ave ) ) for combination therapy group compared with the treatment period I ( all P < 0.05 ) . No serious adverse events ( SAE ) were recorded during the study . CONCLUSION Long-term tamsulosin hydrochloride therapy is a safe , effective and well-tolerated method for the treatment for LUTS suggestive of BPH in China
Although this study did not consider placebo effect and has high IPSS baseline scores , this study clarifies that low-dose tamsulosin has generally positive effect and safety in treatment of LUTS and could be a suitable option as an initial treatment , especially for patients with low body mass index , as is typical of Asian people
PURPOSE In Asian countries , low-dose tamsulosin ( 0.2 mg ) is used widely but this dose has been less popular than 0.4 mg tamsulosin or other types of alpha blockers .
The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of low-dose tamsulosin by systematic review and meta- analysis .