Long-Term Efficacy and Safety of Terazosin in the Symptomatic Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Chung, Byung Ha; Chung, Hyun Jik; Hong, Sung Joon

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of terazosin, a selective alpha-1 blocker, in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Korea.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
This was a 24-month, open-label, baseline-controlled study with patients evaluated at 1-to 6-month intervals. A total of 228 male patients aged 50 years or older who had clinical evidence of BPH were enrolled. Terazosin was given starting at 1 mg per day and then maintained at a dose of 3-4 mg daily. Efficacy, as judged by the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and the blood pressure (BP) were assessed according to the schedule.
RESULTS
A total of 126 patients completed the study, with the most common reasons for withdrawal being loss to follow-up or adverse events. The mean IPSS was reduced by 35% or greater. In the hypertensive patients, the mean systolic BP was reduced by 11.9%(-18 mmHg) and the mean diastolic BP by 16.8%(-17 mmHg), whereas in normotensive patients, the reductions were 4.0% (-5 mmHg) and 1.2% (-1 mmHg), respectively. There were no significant differences in the IPSS improvement in these two groups. Forty-nine adverse events were reported by 32 patients, the most common being dizziness, postural hypotension, and headache.
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that terazosin is effective and well tolerated in long-term treatment of patients with BPH.