Long‐term Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with Alfuzosin: a 12–18 Month Assessment

Abstract

In order to assess the efficacy and safety of alfuzosin, an alpha-1 blocker, in symptomatic patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), 131 patients who had completed a 6-month placebo-controlled trial conducted on parallel groups entered a 12-month open study; 122 patients were treated with alfuzosin for 12 months and 56 patients for 18 months. After 12 months, all obstructive and irritative symptoms assessed according to the Boyarsky scale were significantly improved, as were peak flow rates in obstructed patients and mean flow rates and residual urine in the whole population. Voiding symptoms showed sustained improvement after treatment for 12 to 18 months. Only 5.3% of patients experienced vasodilatory side effects, none of which led to withdrawal from the study. No side effect related to long-term administration was reported. Alfuzosin has a beneficial effect on voiding symptoms in patients with BPH and can be safely used in long-term administration.

Efficacy and Safety of a New Prolonged Release Formulation of Alfuzosin 10 mg Once Daily versus Alfuzosin 2.5 mg Thrice Daily and Placebo in Patients with Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

“…The efficacy of alfuzosin in the treatment of functional symptoms of BPH has been demonstrated in several randomised controlled multicentre European studies [8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13]. The long–term efficacy and safety of alfuzosin has been confirmed in large cohort studies with patients treated for up to 3 years [14, 15, 16].…”

Clinical Uroselectivity of Alfuzosin in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

“…Of 122 patients completing 12 months therapy, all obstructive and irritative symptoms were improved; the Boyarsky score decreased from 8.7 ± 0.3 at baseline to 5.2 ± 0.3 at 24 months [12]. Urinary flow rates also improved with peak flow rate increasing from 13.6 ml/s at baseline to 14.6 ml/s after 18 months [11]. Long-term maintenance of symptomatic improvement up to 30 months was demonstrated in a further open extension of this study involving 50 patients [12] (fig.…”

“…As moderately symptomatic patients can benefit from long-term drug therapy, this 6-month controlled study was continued on an open basis for a further 12 months [11]. Of 122 patients completing 12 months therapy, all obstructive and irritative symptoms were improved; the Boyarsky score decreased from 8.7 ± 0.3 at baseline to 5.2 ± 0.3 at 24 months [12].…”

Clinical Experience in Europe with Uroselective α₁-Antagonists

“…Fortunately in some studies also long-term results were evaluated and some of these results are available with alfuzosin [17, 29]. A 2-year-follow-up of patients treated with 0.4 mg of tamsulosin [31]showed durable efficacy of the drug and similar durable effects were noticed with alfuzosin and terazosin [32, 33]. …”