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Evidence summaries

Tamsulosin for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Tamsulosin has some effect; a small to moderate improvement in urinary symptoms and flow in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Effectiveness is similar to other alpha antagonists. Level of evidence: "A"

A Cochrane review (abstract , review [Abstract]) [withdrawn from publication] included 14 studies with a total of 4122 patients. Tamsulosin improved symptoms and peak urine flow relative to placebo. The weighted mean differences (WMD) for mean change from baseline for the Boyarsky symptom score for 0.4 mg and 0.8 mg doses of tamsulosin relative to placebo were -1.1 points (95% CI -1.49 to -0.72; 12% improvement) and -1.6 points (95% CI -2.3 to -1.0; 16% improvement), respectively. Tamsulosin (0.2 mg-0.4 mg) was as effective as other alpha antagonists and the phytotherapeutic agent Permixon in improving symptoms and flow rates though the doses of all alpha-antagonists studied may not have been optimal. Discontinuations from treatment for any reason and discontinuations "due to adverse events" were similar in the low dose tamsulosin (0.2 mg) and placebo groups but increased to 16% in trials utilizing a 0.8 mg dose of tamsulosin.

    References

    • Wilt TJ, Mac Donald R, Rutks I. Tamsulosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(4):CD002081. [withdrawn from publication]

Primary/Secondary Keywords