Combination of finasteride and doxazosin for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Finasteride, which inhibits the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase, reduces prostate size and relieves the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with enlarged prostates. alpha 1 -Adrenoceptor antagonists, such as doxazosin and terazosin, are also effective in the treatment of BPH. Previous clinical studies in which finasteride had little or no effect alone, have shown little or no additive effect with alpha 1 -adrenoceptor antagonists. The Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms study showed a considerable benefit with finasteride alone and an additive effect when administered with doxazosin. One interpretation of these results is that if finasteride is effective alone in BPH, the combination with an alpha 1 -adrenoceptor antagonist will give an additive effect.