THURSDAY, Aug. 13 (HealthDay News) -- The use of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor tenoxicam may provide greater benefits for lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia when added to the alpha blocker doxazosin, according to research published in the August issue of Urology.

Ismail Ozdemir, M.D., of Dokuz Eylul University in Izmir, Turkey, and colleagues analyzed data from 57 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Subjects were randomized to receive 4 milligrams of doxazosin alone or with 20 milligrams of tenoxicam daily for six weeks.

The researchers found that the patients treated with the combination therapy showed significantly better improvements in International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), IPSS-quality of life, and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score. All of these measurements decreased significantly in both groups, and maximal and average urinary flow rates improved in both.

"In conclusion, we suggest that combination therapy with an alpha blocker and COX-2 inhibitor may be a safe and effective treatment option for relieving both the voiding and the storage symptoms secondary to urinary tract symptoms, as well as increasing the urinary flow rates and decreasing the post-voiding residual urine volumes. In particular, patients suffering from mainly the storage symptoms who do not respond to alpha blocker therapy might be offered this treatment option," the authors conclude.

Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)