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 .
Combination of alfuzosin and sildenafil is superior to monotherapy in treating lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction.
OBJECTIVES This pilot study was undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of the alpha(1)-blocker alfuzosin 10 mg once daily ( OD ) , the PDE-5 inhibitor sildenafil 25 mg OD , and the combination of both on lower urinary tract symptoms ( LUTS ) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ) and erectile dysfunction ( ED ) . MATERIAL AND METHODS Men aged 50 - 76 yr with previously untreated LUTS and ED were r and omized to receive alfuzosin ( n=20 ) , sildenafil ( n=21 ) , or the combination of both ( n=21 ) for 12 wk . Changes from baseline in International Prostate Symptom Score ( IPSS ) , voiding diary , maximum urinary flow rate ( Qmax ) , postvoid residual urine ( PVRU ) volume , and erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function ( IIEF ) were assessed at week 12 . RESULTS Improvement of IPSS was significant with the three treatments but greatest with the combination ( -24.1 % ) compared with alfuzosin ( -15.6 % ) and sildenafil ( -11.8 % ) [ corrected ] alone ( p<0.03 ) . Frequency , nocturia , PVR , and Qmax were significantly improved with alfuzosin only and the combination . Improvement in IIEF was slight with alfuzosin ( 16.7 % ) , marked with sildenafil ( 49.7 % ) , and greatest with the combination ( 58.6 % ) . Likewise , increases in the frequency of penetration ( Q3 ) and of maintained erection ( Q4 ) were greater with the combination therapy ( 65.2 % and 68.2 % , respectively ) than with sildenafil ( 41.7 % and 59.1 % , respectively ) and alfuzosin ( 27.3 % and 33.3 % , respectively ) alone . All three treatments were well tolerated . CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study , the combination of alfuzosin 10 mg OD and sildenafil 25 mg OD is safe and more effective than monotherapy with either agent to improve both voiding and sexual dysfunction in men with LUTS suggestive of BPH
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 .