Methods. In a prospective, double-blind, placebo-Controlled trial, 1095 men aged 50 to 80 years were randomized to treatment for 52 weeks with doxazosin, finasteride, the combination of doxazosin and finasteride, or placebo. The dose of finastericle (or its matched placebo) was 5 mg/day. Doxazosin (or its matched placebo) was initiated at 1 mg/day, and titrated up to a maximum of 8 mg/clay over approximately 10 weeks according to the response of the maximal urinary,flow rate (Qmax) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The IPSS and Qmax were assessed at baseline and at weeks 10, 14, 26, 39, and 52 or at the endpoint.

Results. An intent-to-treat analysis of 1007 men showed doxazosin and doxazosin plus finasteride combination therapy produced statistically significant improvements in total IPSS and Qmax compared with placebo and finastericle alone (P <0.05). Finasteride alone was not significantly different statistically from placebo with respect to total IPSS and Qmax. All treatments were generally well tolerated.

Conclusions. Doxazosin was effective in improving urinary symptoms and urinary flow rate in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, and was more effective than finastericle alone or placebo. The addition of finastericle did not provide further benefit to that achieved with doxazosin alone. UROLOGY 61: 119-126, 2003. (C) 2003, Elsevier Science Inc.