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 .
Solifenacin as add-on therapy for overactive bladder symptoms in men treated for lower urinary tract symptoms--ASSIST, randomized controlled study.
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of solifenacin add-on therapy to tamsulosin in lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) men with residual overactive bladder ( OAB ) symptoms despite tamsulosin monotherapy . METHODS In this r and omized , multicenter , double-blind study , male LUTS patients aged≥50 years with urgency episodes/24 hours≥2 and micturitions/24 hours≥8 were r and omized to 3 groups : 12-weeks tamsulosin plus placebo ( TAM+PBO ) , tamsulosin plus solifenacin 2.5 mg ( TAM+SOL ) , and tamsulosin plus solifenacin 5 mg ( TAM+SOL ) . Changes from baseline to end of treatment in the number of urgency episodes/24 hours ( primary endpoint ) , micturitions , nocturia , urgency incontinence episodes , International Prostate Symptom Scores ( IPSS ) , and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score ( OABSS ) were compared between the TAM+SOL groups and TAM+PBO . Safety was assessed on adverse events , postvoid residual volume , and maximal urinary flow rate ( Qmax . ) . RESULTS Six-hundred thirty-eight men were r and omized . Urgency was reduced by 2.2 and 2.4 episodes in the TAM+SOL 2.5 and 5 mg groups , respectively . The TAM+SOL 5 mg group showed significant improvement compared with TAM+PBO ( -2.4 vs -1.9 , P=.049 ) . The number of micturitions in both TAM+SOL groups were significantly reduced compared with TAM+PBO ( both P<.001 ) . IPSS storage symptom score and OABSS significantly improved in both TAM+SOL groups compared with TAM+PBO . Changes in IPSS voiding symptom score and Qmax . were similar in all groups . Four patients ( 1.9 % ) in the TAM+SOL 5 mg group had urinary retention , but all recovered after catheterization . CONCLUSIONS In male LUTS patients with residual OAB symptoms  despite tamsulosin monotherapy , TAM+SOL showed efficacy on urgency , which represents OAB symptoms and was well tolerated
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 .